How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should know certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Operators should know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Several older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can result in personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle which 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 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 located or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Keep the cover of the gauge 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 will show you how much fuel is still in 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 totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle touches the middle 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 indicate 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 touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.