How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment automatically shuts off when it runs out of fuel. This is really not sage and could result in personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver could operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make sure you know where the propane gauge is situated. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated.
2 Make sure to always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle points at the middle line it will mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Usually, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.