| Model | Production Years | Starting Serial # | Ending Serial # | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Farmall 140 | 1958-1973 | 501 | 84,697 | | Farmall 240 | 1958-1963 | 501 | 26,500 | | Farmall 460 | 1958-1963 | 501 | 46,989 | | Farmall 560 | 1958-1963 | 501 | 74,590 | | Farmall 656 | 1965-1973 | 501 | 46,127 | | Farmall 706 |
Here’s a clean, informative post suitable for a blog, forum (like Reddit or a tractor enthusiasts’ group), or social media caption.
Title: 🔧 Unlock the History of Your Red Baby: International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table
Post:
If you’ve ever stared at the serial number plate on your old Farmall, Cub, or International Harvester tractor and wondered, “How old are you, really?” — you’re not alone.
Knowing your tractor’s serial number isn't just about bragging rights. It’s the key to: ✅ Ordering the correct parts ✅ Determining original specs ✅ Verifying collectible value
Here’s a simplified Serial Number Table for some of the most popular IH models:
| Model | Year | Serial Number Range | |-------|------|----------------------| | Farmall Cub | 1947 | 501 – 1000 | | Farmall Cub | 1950 | 61,305 – 82,100 | | Farmall H | 1939 | 501 – 1473 | | Farmall H | 1953 | 391,801 – 396,167 | | Farmall M | 1939 | 501 – 4750 | | Farmall M | 1952 | 221,915 – 233,504 | | IH 350 | 1956 | 2501 – 17021 | | IH 656 (Gas) | 1965 | 501 – 12500 | | International 1066 | 1971 | 7101 – 15000 |
(Note: This is an abbreviated table. Full production runs span decades – check the official IH chassis guide for exact matches.)
🔍 Where to find your serial number:
📚 Full serial number tables by year and model are available in:
👉 Pro tip: A “T” prefix (e.g., T-340) means crawler/track tractor. “F” means Farmall row-crop. No prefix? Likely a standard wheatland or industrial model.
Let’s see what you’re working on! Drop your model and last 4 digits of your serial number below — we’ll help you pin down the year. ⬇️
#InternationalHarvester #Farmall #VintageTractors #TractorRestoration #IHRedPower
Unlocking the History of Your International Harvester: The Serial Number Guide
If you’ve recently acquired an old International Harvester (IH) or Farmall tractor, or you’re looking to restore a family heirloom, the first thing you need is its "birth certificate"—the serial number. Unlike modern cars with standard VINs, vintage tractors use unique serial numbers to pinpoint their exact year of manufacture and factory origin. Where to Find Your Serial Number
Before you can use a lookup table, you have to find the physical plate. Most IH tractors have an aluminum serial number plate stamped and riveted to the machine. Common locations include: TM Tractor Parts Right Side Steering Housing:
Many common models, like the International Cub, have the plate on the right side of the steering gear housing. Transmission or Clutch Housing:
For larger models like the IH 300 or the "H" and "M" series, look on the transmission or clutch housing. Seat Support: International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-
Some models have the tag attached to the inside of the left-hand seat support. Red Power Magazine If the plate is missing, check the engine block
. There is often a motor serial number embossed on a flat machined spot near the #1 spark plug (front of the engine). While it may not always match the chassis exactly, it usually corresponds closely. How to Read the Tables
International Harvester serial number tables, like those found on TractorData or specialized archives, typically list the starting serial number for each year. To find your tractor's year: Locate your model's table. Find where your number falls between two listed years. Your tractor belongs to the year of the
number. For example, if 1955 starts at 501 and 1956 starts at 20,219, a tractor with serial #15,000 was built in 1955. Example: International Cub Serial Number Table
The following table shows the starting serial numbers for the popular International Cub model. TM Tractor Parts Starting Serial Number Decoding Modern IH Numbers (Kind/Code System)
From the late 1960s until 1985, IH shifted to a "Kind/Code" format. A single line of text might look like 2590009U004452 Octane Press International Harvester Serial Number Plates | Octane Press 13 Mar 2018 —
International Harvester (IH) and Farmall tractor production years are identified via serial number plates located on the engine block, transmission, or front bolster. If the plate is missing, casting date codes on major components can be used to determine the year. Detailed, model-specific serial number tables are available from sources such as the Wisconsin Historical Society IH Archives Bates Corporation Wisconsin Historical Society
International Harvester tractor serial numbers are used to identify the specific manufacturing year of a machine. These lists typically show the starting serial number for each year; if your number falls between two listed starting points, it belongs to the earlier year. Finding Your Serial Number
The serial number is usually stamped into an aluminum or brass plate located in the following areas:
Farmall Models: Typically on the right side of the clutch housing or the steering gear housing.
International Models: Often found on the left side of the engine block or frame.
Engine Numbers: A separate engine serial number is often stamped directly into the cylinder block, usually above the oil filler tube. Serial Number Reference Tables
Below are sample starting serial numbers for popular International Harvester series. For a comprehensive list, you can reference the full International Harvester Serial Number PDF. Farmall H & HV (Prefix "FBH") Year Starting Serial Number Farmall M, MV, MD (Prefix "FBK") Year Starting Serial Number International Cub Year Serial Number Range 501 – 11347 11348 – 57830 99536 – 121453 Additional Resources
Database: TractorData provides model-specific data pages including serial number breakdowns.
Official Records: The Wisconsin Historical Society holds digitized production records for tractors made between 1911 and 1944.
Replacement Parts: Sites like Bates Corp and Anglo Agriparts provide charts to help identify parts based on these numbers.
Do you have a specific serial number or model you're trying to identify? Serial Numbers
Understanding an International Harvester (IH) tractor serial number table is essential for collectors, restorers, and owners to accurately determine a machine's production year and model specifications. Unlike modern automobiles that use standard 17-character VINs, vintage IH tractors use sequential serial numbers, often with unique factory prefixes and "Kind/Code" systems. How to Use an IH Serial Number Table | Model | Production Years | Starting Serial
Most IH serial number lists, such as those found on TractorData.com, show the starting serial number for each production year.
The Rule of Ranges: Your tractor was built in a specific year if its serial number is equal to or greater than that year’s starting number, but less than the starting number of the following year.
Example: If the 1955 starting number is 501 and the 1956 starting number is 20,219, a tractor with serial number 15,000 was manufactured in 1955. International Harvester Serial Number Table (Select Models)
The following table provides starting serial numbers for several iconic IH and Case International models as recorded by collectors and historical archives. Starting Serial Number Farmall Cub Case Model 10-20 Case Model 385 Case Model 530
Note: For a comprehensive list of thousands of models, enthusiasts often refer to official IH Archival Resources or the International Harvester Identification Guide. Where to Find Your Serial Number Tag
Identifying the year requires finding the physical identification plate. Common locations include: IH Tractors - identifying model from serial number
International Harvester (IH) tractor serial numbers are essential for identifying the production year and specific configuration of your machine. Generally, serial numbers are purely incremental for a specific model, but starting in the late 1960s, IH adopted a more complex "Kind/Code" system. Common Serial Number Tables (Starting Numbers)
The following are starting serial numbers for popular International Harvester and Farmall models by year: Farmall Cub Farmall Super C 121,453 (Est)
For a complete lookup of over 100 models, you can refer to the comprehensive International Harvester Serial Numbers PDF or the Anglo Agriparts Identification Guide. How to Decode Your Serial Number Plate
The format of your serial number depends on the era the tractor was built. Pre-1960s (Numeric Only):
Most early tractors use a simple 5-digit number that indicates the unit's place in the production run. For example, a
produced in 1939 (the first year) would have a serial number starting at 501.
Late 1960s – 1985 (Kind/Code): This format includes a 13 to 14 character string (e.g., 2590009U004452). Kind (First 3 digits): Identifies the basic machine type.
Code (Next 3 digits): Identifies the specific model variation or configuration. Country (Letter): Often "U" for USA.
Serial Number (Last digits): The actual production number of that machine.
Casting Dates (The "Birthday" Trick): If the plate is missing, look for dates cast directly into major metal components (transmission, engine block). They follow a Month-Day-Year Letter format. To find the year, add the letter's position in the alphabet to 1930 (e.g., A=1931, I is skipped, J=1939). Serial Number Locations
If you cannot find the tag, check these common mounting points: how to determin the production year of my 460?
Chassis serial is on a plate on the right side of the clutch housing. The 460 was made from 1958-1963, year letter is D--J. Yesterday's Tractors Forums Title: 🔧 Unlock the History of Your Red
TractorData.com International Harvester 574 tractor information
The Ultimate Guide to International Harvester Tractor Serial Numbers
Decoding your International Harvester (IH) tractor’s serial number is more than just a hobby—it is essential for ordering the right parts, verifying authenticity, and determining your machine's exact age. Whether you are restoring a classic Farmall or maintaining a rugged International crawler, the serial number is your tractor's "birthday" certificate. Where to Find Your Serial Number
Unlike modern cars with standard VIN locations, IH tractor plates moved around depending on the model and year. Here is where to look:
Letter Series (A, B, C): Typically found on a metal tag on the left or right side of the seat support.
Cub Models: Usually stamped into an aluminum plate on the right side of the steering gear housing.
H & M Series and Later: Often located on the transmission housing or on a plate near the engine.
06 & Later Series: Usually found on the right side of the frame rail, often near the front axle or steps.
Pro Tip: If the plate is missing, check the engine block (typically above the oil filler tube) for a stamped number that often matches or closely follows the tractor’s serial series. Decoding the Kind/Code System
In the late 1960s, IH transitioned to a more complex "Kind/Code" format. A typical tag from this era looks like this: 2590009U004452.
Kind (First 3 digits): Identifies the general machine type (e.g., 259 for certain Farmall models).
Code (Next 3 digits): Specifies particular options or configurations. Country (The Letter): U stands for United States.
Serial Number (Final 4-6 digits): The actual sequential production number of your machine. Sample Serial Number Table
While lists vary by model, manufacturers typically used starting numbers for each production year. Below is an example of historical starting numbers for some early Case International Harvester models: Starting Serial Number Case Model 10-18 1918–1922 13285, 22223, 32841, 42256, 43943 Case Model 10-20 1915–1918 2842, 3691, 7492, 13285 Case 12-25 1914–1918 2496, 2842, 3691, 7492, 13285 Next Steps for Collectors Identify Your Tractor (serial numbers) - TM Tractor Parts
Here’s a content piece titled “International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table: A Collector’s Guide to Dating Your Red Iron.” It’s structured for a blog post, owner’s manual appendix, or club newsletter.
Most tables are organized chronologically by model. They will list a starting serial number for each production year.
Example Logic: If the table says 1947 – 501 and 1948 – 25001, a tractor with serial number 15000 was built in 1947.
Note on Prefixes and Suffixes:
Example: Farmall H serial #157,000 → falls between 1942 (137,000) and 1943 (168,000) → likely a late 1942 or very early 1943 model.
Below are the most sought-after tables. Note that serial numbers began at 501 for most early models (excluding prototypes).