How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. 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 not sage and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The operator could use a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is situated. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object situated either on the propane tank's valve or on the dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are located.
2 Keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Located 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 on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.