International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table- -
Let’s walk through a practical example. You find a rusted Farmall H in a ravine.
| 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 |
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: International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-
For larger models like the IH 300 or the "H" and "M" series, look on the transmission or clutch housing. Seat Support:
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 Let’s walk through a practical example
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 —
Before you use a table, you must find the number. IH placed serial numbers in different locations depending on the era:
Pro Tip: Never trust painted-over tags. Use a wire brush or a piece of chalk to gently reveal the stamped digits. If the tag is missing, look for stamped numbers on the engine block—though note that engines were sometimes replaced, making chassis numbers the gold standard.
| Model | Serial Start | Serial End | Year | |-------|-------------|------------|------| | 3088 | 1 | ~3650 | 1983-1985 | | 3288 | 1 | ~3100 | 1983-1985 | | 3488 (Hydro) | 1 | ~1480 | 1984-1985 | | 3688 | 1 | ~5270 | 1983-1985 | | 5088 | 1001 | ~3994 | 1981-1985 | | 5288 | 1001 | ~2737 | 1981-1985 | | 5488 | 1001 | ~2287 | 1981-1985 | Conclusion: Since 185,643 falls between 170,001 and 250,000,
For collectors, restorers, and farmers who still trust the iron of yesteryear, few names carry as much weight as International Harvester (IH). 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?
The answer lies in a single, stamped line of digits. But without the proper key, that serial number is just a string of metal stamps. That key is the International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table.
This article provides a deep dive into using serial number tables, explains the nuances of IH numbering systems across six decades, and offers a comprehensive reference table for the most popular models.
If the serial plate is gone, look for raised casting codes on the engine block, transmission, or rear axle housing. IH used a format like 10-11-X – but the standard format is Month-Day-Year.
Example: *9*18*W*
Using casting codes is less precise, but it ensures you don't buy a 1945 engine in a 1947 chassis.