How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators must understand some safety factors when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Operators must know when the forklift is running low on fuel or propane. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine shuts off automatically when it is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can result in personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver could operate a handle that 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 dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Make certain to always keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Locate 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 totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it means 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 touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.