How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The operator needs to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery automatically shuts off when it is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could result in product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator can use 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 located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated.
2 Keep the gauge cover 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 There are two letters on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also 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 would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.