How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The driver needs 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 equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and can lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models 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 Know where the propane gauge is located. 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 valve on the propane tank.
2 Always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle will show 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 points at the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm arrives at the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle touches the middle line it would mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.