How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Industrial lift trucks, or forklifts, are usually designed to run 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 correctly trained to handle substances that are extremely flammable.
1 Personal protective equipment must be put on before refueling. Thick leather gloves must be worn to avoid the hands from touching liquid propane. The liquid is very 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 Prior to doing anything else, you should first shut down the forklift. Make certain there are no open flames in 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 place, carefully open the bleed valve. It is normal to hear a hissing noise when the valve is open, but make certain it is air escaping - and not propane.
3 Slowly open the fill valve on the fill line until you are sure there are no leaks around the connection. Afterward open the valve more and let the propane enter the tank. Check the tank while refueling; as soon as 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. Slowly 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 to make sure they are closed completely. Now, your truck is refueled and ready to drive.