International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table- -

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.

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. International Harvester Tractor Serial Number Table-

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.

| Model | Serial Range | Year Example | |-------|-------------|---------------| | Farmall 460 | 501 – 36970 | 1958-1963 | | Farmall 560 | 501 – 54278 | 1958-1963 | | Farmall 660 | 501 – 5627 | 1959-1963 | | International 606 (utility) | 501 – 24134 | 1961-1967 | Unlike modern vehicles with VINs located in standardized

This was IH’s first modern row-crop tractor with a V-8 diesel option. The serial number table shows a critical split in 1965:

International Harvester Company (IH) produced farm tractors from 1906 until 1985 (when the agricultural division was sold to Tenneco, forming Case IH). To track production, identify model year, and verify authenticity, IH used serial number plates attached to the tractor’s chassis. Serial number tables (often found in service manuals, parts catalogs, and enthusiast guides) provide the cross-reference between serial number ranges and the corresponding year of manufacture. | Model | Serial Range | Year Example

This report compiles the most common serial number tables for key IH tractor models built from the 1930s through the early 1980s.

Important Note: IH did not always align serial numbers strictly with calendar years. Production years often ran from September/October of the previous year through August of the named year. Also, some models had overlapping serial ranges due to multiple assembly plants (Louisville, KY; Doncaster, UK; Geelong, Australia; Neuss, Germany).