How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver needs to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some types of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The operator can use a handle that 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 dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Make sure to always keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Look for 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: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle points 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 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 points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.