How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators should understand some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Operators must know when the forklift is low on fuel or propane. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could cause personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object situated either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
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 in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean 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 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.