How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should know certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers should know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Several older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when it is out of fuel. This is really not sage and could result in product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver could operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make sure you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge looks like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object located 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 Make certain to always 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 shows 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 means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest 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.