How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Industrial lift trucks, or forklifts, are normally designed to run on liquid propane. There is the option to have refueling capabilities on site or to have cylinders brought to your facility. Operators who are working with propane-powered forklifts should be trained to handle substances which are highly 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 serious burns. Other protective equipment includes goggles and a full face shield. A fire extinguisher should always be nearby.
2 The forklift must 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. A hissing sound is normal when opening the valve, but make sure it is air which is escaping - and not propane.
3 Open the fill valve on the fill line slowly. Check around the connections and make sure that there are no leaks. After that 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. Completely turn off the fill valve first before closing the bleeder valve. Take the fill line out of the tank slowly. The escape of a small amount of gas during this time is normal. Make certain to screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Inspect all valves to make certain that they are completely closed. Your truck is now refueled and ready to be utilized.