Posted: May 11, 2026
Operating Propane Forklifts
Tips from Buster Brown Propane
Using forklift propane to power your company’s forklifts can be incredibly advantageous. The alternative energy source is powerful, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, safe to use indoors and can boost a workplace’s efficiency and productivity. However, a forklift operator and a business is not going to get the full benefits that forklift propane has to offer if a forklift is not operated and cared for correctly.
A forklift operator needs training
Anyone who is operating a forklift should undergo intense training and a certification process to gain the skills and knowledge that are needed to handle the equipment safely.
Even after initial training is done and certification is completed, a forklift operator should still take part in ongoing training sessions so that he or she stays updated on the latest safety protocols.
Tips for operating a propane-powered forklift safely
While the below tips should certainly not replace any sort of formal training, they can give you a general idea of what safely operating a propane-powered forklift entails:
- Be aware of your forklift’s performance: You should always keep a close eye on engine hesitation, stalling and irregular performance. Difficulty in any of these areas can be a sign of a larger issue.
- Avoid overloading your forklift: When a forklift is overloaded there is a higher chance of it tipping.
- Watch your fuel levels: Tracking your fuel levels will help ensure that they are never low enough to interfere with your work and productivity.
- Limit unnecessary fuel loss: By reducing idling times while driving and keeping the valves on your forklift’s propane cylinders closed you can limit and reduce accidental fuel loss.
- Know when it is okay to raise and lower the forks: You want to make sure your forklift has come to a complete stop before moving the forks. This will help prevent tipping.
- Practice safe driving techniques: Forklifts should always be driven at a safe speed. A forklift operator wants to avoid sudden stops and sharp turns and should use the horn to alert others when approaching corners or intersections.
- Don’t skip annual professional maintenance appointments: Following the above tips can help you care for your forklifts, but your equipment will still need an annual maintenance appointment with a professional. Not only will this help ensure that your forklift is working as effectively as it possibly can, but these appointments also help catch small issues before they turn into large and potentially dangerous problems.
Forklift propane from Buster Brown Propane
Businesses here in the East Texas area can count on Buster Brown Propane for the forklift propane they need to keep their operations up and running.
We offer our customers two options when it comes to forklift propane:
- Refill station installations: Customers who go with this option get propane cylinder refill stations installed directly on their worksite. This is convenient and allows for seamless and efficient refueling that doesn’t interrupt your workflow.
- On-site forklift cylinder refills: If you would rather have Buster Brown bring full cylinders directly to you, you can go with this option.
Contact Buster Brown Propane today to get the forklift propane you need to keep your business running.
