How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Forklifts, or industrial lift trucks, are normally meant to operate on liquid propane. There is the alternative to have refueling capabilities on site or to have cylinders delivered to your facility. Operators who are working with propane-powered forklifts should be correctly trained to handle extremely flammable substances.
1 Personal protective equipment should be put on before refueling. Thick leather gloves must be worn to prevent the hands from touching liquid propane. The liquid is extremely cold and could lead to serious burns. Other protective equipment consists of goggles and a full face shield. A fire extinguisher must always be close at hand.
2 The forklift must be shut down first. Make certain there are no open flames in the area and no lit cigarettes. Remove the protective cap on the fill valve and securely attach the fill line to the fill valve. When the fill line is in position, carefully open the bleed valve. A hissing noise is normal when the valve is open, but make certain it is air which is escaping - not propane.
3 Open the fill valve on the fill line carefully. Check around the connections and make sure that there are no leaks. Afterward open the valve more and let the propane enter the tank. Monitor the tank during refueling; when it is full, the bleeder valve would emit 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 slowly. The escape of a small amount of gas at this time is normal. Make certain to screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Check all valves in order to make certain that they are completely closed. Now, your truck is refueled and ready to be used.