How to Fill Forklift Cylinders
Industrial lift trucks, or forklifts, are normally meant to run utilizing liquid propane. There is the alternative to have cylinders brought to your facility, or to have refueling capabilities on location. Operators who are working with forklifts that use propane must be trained to deal with substances which are highly flammable.
1 Personal protective equipment should be put on before refueling. Thick leather gloves must be worn to be able to prevent the hands from touching liquid propane. The liquid is extremely cold and could lead to serious burns. Other protective equipment includes a full face shield and goggles. A fire extinguisher must always be close at hand.
2 Prior to doing anything else, you must first shut down the forklift. 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, carefully open the bleed valve. A hissing noise is normal when the valve is open, but make sure it is air that is escaping - not propane.
3 Slowly open the fill valve on the fill line until you are sure there are no leaks around the connection. 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 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 carefully. The escape of a small amount of gas during this time is normal. Screw the protective cap back onto the fill valve. Check all valves in order to make sure they are completely closed. Your truck is now refueled and ready to be used.