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 has to know when the forklift is running low on 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 runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could result in product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver can operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like a car's gas gauge. 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 certain to keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle shows 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 touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it would mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Usually, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.