How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators must understand certain safety considerations when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Drivers must know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could cause personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent 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 located. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object situated either on the propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are located.
2 Make certain to 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 inside the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean 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 would 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 arrives at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.