How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The operator needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can cause product damage and personal injury. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The operator can use a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make sure you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are 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 On the gauge: F represents full and E represents empty. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.