How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Forklifts, or industrial lift trucks, are usually meant to operate utilizing liquid propane. There is the choice to have refueling capabilities on site or to have cylinders delivered to your facility. Operators who are working with forklifts which utilize propane should be trained to deal with very combustible substances.
1 Personal protective equipment must be put on prior to refueling. Thick leather gloves must be worn in order to prevent the hands from touching liquid propane. The liquid is extremely cold and can lead to severe burns. Other protective equipment consists of a full face shield and goggles. A fire extinguisher must be close at hand.
2 The forklift should be shut down first. Make sure there are no open flames within the area and no lit cigarettes. 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, open the bleed valve carefully. It is normal to hear a hissing noise when the valve is open, but make certain it is air escaping - and not propane.
3 carefully open the fill valve on the fill line until you are certain there are no leaks around the connection. Then open the valve more and let the propane enter the tank. Check the tank while refueling; when it is full, the bleeder valve will emit a spray of white gas. Turn off the fill valve completely first before closing the bleeder valve. Carefully take the fill line out of the tank. A small amount of gas that is escaping during this time is normal. Make sure to screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Check all valves in order to make sure that they are closed completely. Your truck is now refueled and ready to be used.