How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Several older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine shuts off automatically when it runs out of fuel. This is really not sage and could result in product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator could utilize a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is situated. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Make sure 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 in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: F represents full and E represents empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches 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 means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.