How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should understand certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Operators should know when the forklift is low on fuel or propane. Several types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can cause personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The driver could operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are legible.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points 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 nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.