How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Industrial lift trucks, or forklifts, are usually designed to run on liquid propane. There is the choice to have refueling capabilities on site or to have cylinders brought to your facility. Operators who are working with propane-powered forklifts must be trained to handle highly flammable substances.
1 Before refueling, you should wear personal protective equipment. Thick leather gloves should be worn to be able to avoid the hands from touching liquid propane. The liquid is very cold and can result in severe burns. Other protective equipment includes goggles and a full face shield. A fire extinguisher must be close at hand.
2 The forklift must be shut down first. Make sure there are no open flames in the area and no lit cigarettes. Take off the protective cap on the fill valve and securely attach the fill line to the fill valve. When the fill line is in position, carefully open the bleed valve. It is normal to hear a hissing sound when opening the valve, but make certain it is air escaping - not propane.
3 carefully open the fill valve on the fill line until you are certain there are no leaks around the connection. Then open the valve more and let the propane enter the tank. Check the tank during refueling; as soon as it is full, the bleeder valve will release a spray of white gas. Totally turn off the fill valve first prior to closing the bleeder valve. Carefully take the fill line out of the tank. The escape of a small amount of gas at this time is normal. Make certain to screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Inspect all the valves to make certain they are closed completely. Now, your truck is refueled and ready to drive.