Almost every major cast-iron part on an International Harvester tractor (engine block, axle housings, transmission cases) features a raised, cast-in date code. These codes consist of digits for the month and day, followed by a letter representing the year.
| Year | Starting Serial Number | | :--- | :--- | | 1939 | 501 | | 1940 | 10653 |
Unlike cars, which use a standardized 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), vintage tractors operate on a variety of manufacturer-specific systems. An International Harvester tractor serial number table serves three critical functions:
This series introduced the "row crop" styling with a single front wheel option.
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
| Serial Number Range | Year Produced | | :--- | :--- | | FAA - 501 | 1939 | | FAA - 40555 | 1940 | | FAA - 100001 | 1941 |
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
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 —
The tables and guides included here are based on decades of collective research. But the ultimate source remains the unparalleled archives of IH's own serial number lists. Whether you consult an original operator's manual, Guy Fay's "International Harvester Tractor Data Book," or the monthly production logs from the Farmall Works, the authentic history of your tractor is out there, waiting to be discovered.
Engine serial numbers often differ from the tractor's frame serial number. Always use the plate on the transmission or clutch housing for identifying the tractor itself.
The following table covers the production spans and serial number ranges for the most widely collected International Harvester and Farmall tractors. Production Years Starting Serial Number Ending Serial Number Total Built 1924 – 1932 Farmall F-12 1932 – 1938 Farmall F-20 1932 – 1939 Farmall A 1939 – 1947 Farmall B 1939 – 1947 Farmall H 1939 – 1953 Farmall M 1939 – 1952 Farmall Cub 1947 – 1979 Farmall Super A 1947 – 1954 Farmall Super H 1952 – 1954 Farmall Super M 1952 – 1954 Farmall 100 1954 – 1956 Farmall 200 1954 – 1956 Farmall 300 1954 – 1956 Farmall 400 1954 – 1956 International 460 1958 – 1963 International 560 1958 – 1963 International 706 1963 – 1967 International 806 1963 – 1967 International 1066 1971 – 1976
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 .
What is the specific of your International Harvester tractor?
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).