How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should know some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Drivers should know when the forklift is running low on fuel or propane. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator could use a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object located either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Look for the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm arrives at the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the halfway line it would mean that 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 points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.