How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should understand some safety factors when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Operators should know when the forklift is low on fuel or propane. Some kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the machinery shuts off automatically when it runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could result in personal injury and product damage. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The operator can use a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the valve on the propane tank or on the dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated.
2 Make sure to keep the cover of the gauge 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 inside 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 would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the halfway line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.