Note: The famous is the most collected. Serial numbers 501 to 5,000 (1971) are considered early "blue ribbon" tractors. Numbers above 50,000 are 1975-1976 models.
: TractorData provides model-specific data pages including serial number breakdowns.
If your serial number plate is rusted or missing, you are not out of luck. Combine the serial number table with other clues:
International Harvester produced millions of tractors under the IH, Farmall, McCormick-Deering, and Cub brand names. Serial numbers are critical for: International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-
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 .
If you are looking for specific model years or parts, I can help you:
Using a serial number table is a straightforward but deliberate process. To determine your tractor's year, you must first correctly identify its model and serial number. Serial numbers are generally sequential, but production often overlapped between years. Note: The famous is the most collected
provides starting numbers for various English-built tractors: Svenska IH-klubben B-275 (1958–1962) : Started at 501 (1958) up to 29646 (1962). B-414 (1961–1966) : Started at 501 (1961) up to 28791 (1970). B-450 (1959–1963) : Started at 501 (1959) up to 8041 (1964). How to Decode Later Serial Numbers In the late 1960s, IH adopted a system found on the identification tag: Kind (First 3 digits)
For tractors built after the late 1960s, IH adopted a structured system to provide more detail than just a sequence number.
| Model | Year | Starting Serial Number | Year(s) | Production Data / Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 1939 | 501 | 1939-1947 | Prefix: FAA. Super A serials start at 250001 | | Farmall B | 1939 | 501 | 1939-1947 | Prefix: FAB. Louisville production began in 1947 | | Farmall H | 1939 | 501 | 1939-1953 | 1939: 501; 1940: 10653; 1941: 52387; 1942: 93237; 1943: 122091; 1944: 150251; 1945: 186123; 1946: 214820; 1947: 241143 | | Farmall M | 1939 | 501 | 1939-1952 | 1939: 501; 1940: 7240; 1941: 25371; 1942: 50988; 1943: 60011; 1944: 67424; 1945: 88085; 1946: 105564; 1947: 122823; 1948: 151708; 1949: 180514; 1950: 213579; 1951: 247518; 1952: 290923 | | Farmall Cub | 1947 | 501 | 1947-1964 | Location: Right side, above front axle | | Farmall Super C | 1951 | FC100001 | 1951-1954 | 1951: FC100001; 1952: FC131157; 1953: FC159130; 1954: FC187788 | Serial numbers are critical for: If the serial
Ensure you are looking at the correct serial number table. An "F-20" table will not work for an "H".
Some IH models have tricky serial numbers that require a specific reading of the table.
Unlike modern cars with standard VIN locations, IH tractor plates moved around depending on the model and year. Here is where to look: