How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The driver needs to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really not sage and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The driver can operate a handle that 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 a car. It is a small round object situated either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Make sure to always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will 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 points at the halfway line it will mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches 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.