The month (A=Jan, B=Feb, ..., M=Dec; note that 'I' is often skipped). 23: The day of the month. 4: The year (e.g., 4 = 1944, 5 = 1945).
By checking multiple casting dates across the tractor, you can find a cluster of matching years. Because parts were typically cast a few weeks or months before final tractor assembly, casting codes will accurately pinpoint your tractor's build year within a very tight window.
Variations occurred mid-year; exact numbers ensure component compatibility.
Discuss specific serial number locations with other enthusiasts on the Red Power Magazine forums What is the model name prefix letters found on your tractor's serial number plate? Serial number list - Technical IH Talk - Red Power Magazine
Before consulting a serial number table, you must find the physical identification tag on your tractor. Location varies heavily by model era. Early Models (1920s–1940s) International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-
A typical International Harvester serial number consists of a prefix, a sequential production number, and a suffix. Prefixes (The Model Code)
This table provides starting serial numbers for popular IHC tractor models by year of manufacture. Model Series Starting Serial Number Farmall Regular Farmall F-20 Farmall F-20 Farmall F-30 Farmall F-30 Farmall A Farmall A FAA 170887 Farmall B Farmall H Farmall H FBH 382637 Farmall M Farmall M FBK 267375 Farmall Cub Farmall Cub Farmall 300 Farmall 400
Identifies the specific model variation or configuration. Country (Letter): Often "U" for USA.
This format typically appears as a long string of characters (e.g., 2590009U004452 ): The month (A=Jan, B=Feb,
Note: The above data is generalized for agricultural models. Specialized industrial tractors have different series, such as T-340 or TD-6. Understanding the Serial Number Structure
For specialized tractors like industrial or overseas models, the Bates Corp list is an invaluable resource for locating harder-to-find serial number tables.
Below is a serial number table for the most common International Harvester tractor series. Use this to cross-reference your number.
International Harvester utilized stamped aluminum or brass plates riveted directly to the chassis. Over decades of farm use, these plates frequently became painted over, scratched, or lost. Look in these specific locations based on your tractor era: 1. Early Models (Regular, F-Series) Look on the tool box or the steering gear housing. By checking multiple casting dates across the tractor,
International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table (Select Models)
are the most accurate way to verify the model, production year, and exact factory origin of a vintage machine. Finding and understanding these factory numbers prevents costly mistakes when buying parts or restoring a classic tractor.
Below are the starting serial numbers for several popular historical models. Most lists indicate the starting number for that calendar year. Farmall Cub (1947–1954) TM Tractor Parts table shows the serial ranges for early Cubs: TM Tractor Parts : 501 – 11347 : 11348 – 57830 : 57831 – 99535 : 99536 – 121453 : 121454 – 144454 : 144455 – 162283 : 162284 – 179411 : 179412 – 186440 Early Case International Models According to Anglo Agriparts , starting numbers for early 20th-century models were: Anglo Agriparts Case 10-18 Case 12-25 Case 12-20 British-Built IH Models (B-Series)
The "Letter Series" tractors (A, B, H, M) saved American family farms during the 1940s. Use these precise annual breakdowns to date your machine. Farmall H Serial Numbers (1939–1953) : 501 – 10651 1940 : 10652 – 50920 1941 : 50921 – 90895 1942 : 90896 – 121503 1943 : 121504 – 148154 1944 : 148155 – 186022 1945 : 186023 – 216744 1946 : 216745 – 241940 1947 : 241941 – 273616 1948 : 273617 – 300940 1949 : 300941 – 327471 1950 : 327472 – 351980 1951 : 351981 – 382214 1952 : 382215 – 391090 1953 : 391091 – 391153 Farmall M Serial Numbers (1939–1952) 1939 : 501 – 4566 1940 : 4567 – 23626 1941 : 23627 – 49132 1942 : 49133 – 59147 1943 : 59148 – 73621 1944 : 73622 – 91523 1945 : 91524 – 107668 1946 : 107669 – 123891 1947 : 123892 – 148911 1948 : 148912 – 184587 1949 : 184588 – 214759 1950 : 214760 – 244270 1951 : 244271 – 285415 1952 : 285416 – 299307 Where to Find the Serial Number Plate
For collectors, restorers, and farmers who still trust the iron of yesteryear, few names carry as much weight as . From the legendary Farmall letter series to the powerful 06 and 56 series, IH tractors are cornerstones of agricultural history. However, buying or restoring one of these machines presents a common puzzle: What year was my tractor built, and what factory produced it?