International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table- _top_ May 2026

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.

How to Handle Missing or Unreadable Numbers

If your serial number plate is rusted or missing, you are not out of luck. Combine the serial number table with other clues:

1. Engine Casting Codes: Look for a small raised number near the oil filter or distributor (e.g., 10-15-M = October 15th, 1950s). Cross-check this with the tractor serial table.
2. Lug Bolt Pattern: Early Farmall H used 7-lug rims; later models used 8-lug. The serial number table helps confirm the transition years.
3. Grille Style: The 56 series (756, 856) had a flat grille in early 1968, and a curved grille after S/N 13,000.

Digital Tools vs. Printed Tables

While you can find hundreds of serial number tables on forums like RedPower Magazine or Yesterday’s Tractors, beware of inaccuracies. Many online tables are user-submitted and contain typos.

For absolute accuracy, invest in:

• International Harvester Tractor Data Book by Guy Fay and Andy Kraushaar.
• The official IH Serial Number Registry (maintained by the Farmall Land USA Museum).

International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table — Informative Paper

Where to Find the Serial Number

Unlike modern vehicles with VINs located in standardized spots, older tractors can be tricky. International Harvester placed serial numbers in a few specific locations depending on the era and model. International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-

1. The Serial Number Plate (Tag) For most tractors, look for a thin metal plate riveted to the instrument panel (dashboard) or the side of the clutch housing. This plate usually lists the Model, Serial Number, and sometimes the Speed Ratio.

2. The Engine Block On older models (like the Letter Series), the serial number is often stamped directly into a boss (a flat, raised surface) on the engine block, typically on the left side near the carburetor or magneto.

• Pro Tip: On many Farmalls, the serial number on the engine block and the tag should match. If they don't, the engine may have been swapped at some point in its 70-year life.

3. The Casting Codes If the tag is missing and the engine pad is rusty or ground down, you can estimate the age using casting codes. IH cast dates into their parts (blocks, heads, housings) using a letter-number code.

• Example: A code like "3 21 T" would indicate March 21st. The letter indicates the year, though you need a specific IH code chart to decipher the letter "T" (which varies by decade).

F. 86 Series (1976–1981) – Cab tractors

| Model | Serial Start | Serial End | Year | |-------|-------------|------------|------| | 786 | 1 | 5466 | 1979-1981 | | 886 | 1 | 15623 | 1976-1981 | | 986 | 1 | 12098 | 1976-1981 | | 1086 | 1 | 35828 | 1976-1981 | | 1486 | 1 | 17673 | 1976-1981 | | 1586 | 1 | 10815 | 1976-1981 | How to Handle Missing or Unreadable Numbers If

Final Thoughts: The Goldmine of Data

The International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table is more than a list of dates—it is a historical document. In the collector market, a 1953 Farmall Super M is common, but a 1954 model with a serial number above 65,000 might have the rare "high-altitude" pistons.

Whether you own a little Farmall Cub or a massive 4366 4WD, take ten minutes today to locate your serial number, consult the correct table, and write down the year. You will need it for every parts order, resale negotiation, and club registration from now on.

Do you have a serial number that doesn’t match any table? Post it on the Red Power Magazine forums—the IH experts there have access to the original microfiche records.

International Harvester (IH) tractor serial numbers are essential for determining the specific production year and matching parts for restoration. While thousands of models exist across decades, most follow a structured format based on the manufacturing plant or a specific "Kind/Code" system. Common Farmall & IH Serial Ranges Engine Casting Codes: Look for a small raised

Below is a sample of popular historical models and their production serial number ranges. For a comprehensive, model-specific search, you can use the Yesterday's Tractors Serial Number Registry. Production Years Starting Serial # Ending Serial # Farmall Cub 1947 – 1964 1939 – 1947 1939 – 1953 1939 – 1952 IH 300 Utility 1954 – 1956 1971 – 1976 How to Decode Your Serial Number Serial number list - Technical IH Talk - Red Power Magazine

Structure and Purpose of Serial Number Tables

• Purpose: Map serial numbers to production years, model subtypes, and assembly plants. Enable verification of originality and help locate period-correct parts and documentation.
• Common fields in a serial number table:
  • Model designation (e.g., Farmall H, 400, 656)
  • Serial number range (start–end)
  • Production year(s)
  • Assembly plant or country (where available)
  • Notes (e.g., production changes, rare variants, engine type)

A. Letter Series (1939–1954) – Most Collectible

| Model | Serial Number Start | Serial Number End | Year | |-------|--------------------|------------------|------| | Farmall A | 501 | 50109 | 1939 | | Farmall A | 50110 | 78434 | 1940-1947 | | Farmall B | 501 | 130838 | 1939-1947 | | Farmall BN | 501 | 16211 | 1940-1947 | | Farmall C | 43901 | 128650 | 1948-1951 | | Farmall Super C | 128651 | 170959 | 1951-1954 | | Farmall H | 501 | 40000 | 1939 | | Farmall H | 40001 | 390000+ | 1940-1953 | | Farmall M | 501 | 40000 | 1939 | | Farmall M | 40001 | 275000+ | 1940-1952 | | Farmall Super M | 275001 | 294000+ | 1952-1954 |

Note: Exact yearly splits require sub-tables. For example, Farmall H serials: 1940 ends ~18213, 1941 ends ~54386, etc.