How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Several types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Make certain to keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle points at the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.