How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Several types of forklifts that are older 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 really not sage and can cause personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make sure 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 situated either on the dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle would show you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. 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 means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the halfway line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean 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 closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.