International Harvester: Tractor Serial Number Table-

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. International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-

Do you have a specific serial number or model you're trying to identify? Serial Numbers

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 | International Harvester tractor serial numbers are used to

(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:

On a flat metal plate (often riveted to the clutch housing, left side of the engine block, or seat support bracket).
On later models (1960s+), look for a foil sticker on the dash or fender.

📚 Full serial number tables by year and model are available in:

International Harvester Tractor Data Book (by Guy Fay)
Wisconsin Historical Society archives (IH corporate records)
Free PDF charts from farm tractor forums (e.g., Red Power Magazine, Yesterday’s Tractors)

👉 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

Limitations & Next Steps

This table covers US-built row-crop and utility tractors. For:

Wheatland / standard tread models – Use different charts (often number prefix 5xxx).
IH industrial tractors (3400, 2500, etc.) – Serialized separately.
French or German-built IH tractors – Entirely separate sequences.

Get the full story: Buy a reprint of the International Harvester Serial Number Guide (by Ken Updike or from Binder Books). Or, visit the Wisconsin Historical Society (home of the official IH archives) for original shipping records. Title: 🔧 Unlock the History of Your Red

Methods for Accurate Identification

Locate the data plate and serial stamping: transmission housing, engine pad, rear axle housing.
Compare model-specific features: front axle type, wheel tread, hitch style, engine casting numbers.
Use contemporaneous literature: owner’s manuals, parts books, sales catalogs.
Consult factory records, marque registries, and specialist books (see Resources).
Cross-check with photographic evidence from period catalogs or dealer brochures.

Common IH Serial Number Pitfalls

As you dig into the tables, watch out for these common headaches:

The "Letter" Prefix: Pay attention to the prefix letters (e.g., "FAB" for a Farmall A, "FBK" for a Farmall 460). These denote the specific model configuration. Without the prefix, the numbers can be confusing.
Replaced Dashboards: Many tractors have had their dashboards swapped over the last 60 years. If the serial tag looks brand new or the font doesn't match, cross-reference the casting codes on the engine block or rear end housing.
The "Blackstripe" Era: In the late 1970s, IH updated the "86" series with black stripes and often changed model designations. The serial number table is the only way to definitively tell if you have a standard model or one of the updated later editions.

International Harvester “W” Series (Standard Tread)

| Model | Serial Number Range | Year | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | W-4 | 501 – 45,000 | 1940–1953 | | W-6 | 501 – 60,000 | 1940–1953 | | W-9 | 501 – 18,000 | 1940–1953 | | WD-9 (Diesel) | 501 – 27,000 | 1953–1957 |

Further research suggestions

Obtain model-specific serial reference books or PDF parts manuals.
Contact relevant tractor clubs or registries for precise serial blocks and production notes.
Search digitized factory catalogs and contemporaneous dealer brochures for production-year visual confirmation.

Related search suggestions: (Invoking related search terms tool now.)

Why Serial Numbers Matter

Before we dive into the tables, it is important to understand why these numbers matter.

Ordering Parts: A 1949 Farmall H is slightly different from a 1952 Farmall H. If you order a carburetor kit or a water pump based on the wrong year, you might end up with a part that doesn’t fit.
Resale Value: A tractor with a matching serial number plate and engine block often commands a higher price than a "pieced together" machine.
Historical Provenance: IH tractors were workhorses of American agriculture. Knowing the production year connects you to the history of that specific machine.

How to Read an International Harvester Serial Number Table

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:

Prefixes: Letters like F (Farmall - row crop) or W (Wheatland - standard tread) often precede the number.
Suffixes: Letters like X (high-clearance) or D (diesel) alter the model. The serial number table usually applies to the base chassis.

6. Limitations & Accuracy

No single master table exists for all IH tractors. Different factories (USA, UK, Germany, Australia) used independent serial ranges.
Model year vs. calendar year: A tractor made in November 1955 is often sold as a 1956 model.
Replacement plates: Some tractors have had plates replaced, leading to mismatched numbers.
Official sources: The Wisconsin Historical Society (IH archives) and International Harvester Tractor Data Book (by Guy Fay) are the most authoritative references.