How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators should know certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers should know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Several types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can result in product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. 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 much like the gas gauge on a car. 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 propane tank's valve.
2 Make certain to always keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle would show 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 points at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle touches the middle line it means 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 touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.