How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Liquid propane is usually used to operate industrial lift trucks or forklifts. There is the alternative to have refueling capabilities on location or to have cylinders delivered to your facility. Operators who are working with forklifts that use propane must be correctly trained to deal with substances that are extremely combustible.
1 Personal protective equipment should be put on prior to refueling. Thick leather gloves should be worn to prevent liquid propane from coming into contact with the hands. The liquid is very cold and can cause severe burns. Other protective equipment consists of a full face shield and goggles. A fire extinguisher must always be close at hand.
2 Before doing anything else, you must first shut down the forklift. Make sure there are no lit cigarettes and no open flames in the area. Take off the protective cap on the fill valve and attach the fill line securely to the fill valve. When the fill line is in position, carefully open the bleed valve. It is normal to hear a hissing sound when opening the valve, but make certain it is air escaping - not propane.
3 Open the fill valve on the fill line carefully. Check around the connections and make certain that there are no leaks. Then open the valve more and let the propane enter the tank. Check the tank during refueling; as soon as it is full, the bleeder valve would release a spray of white gas. Turn off the fill valve completely first before closing the bleeder valve. Take the fill line out of the tank carefully. A small amount of gas that is escaping during this time is normal. Screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Check all valves to make certain that they are completely closed. Now, your truck is refueled and ready to be used.