How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The operator has to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really not sage and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The driver could operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object situated either on the valve on the propane tank or on the dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Make certain to keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: F represents full and E represents empty. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely 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 touches the middle line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.