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Example of the Hyster forklift Intella operates
Hyster forklift serial numbers
Q: How do I decode my Hyster forklift serial number?
A: Post-1957 Hyster forklift serial numbers come in four parts and give information about four different things: the design series of the lift, where the lift was manufactured, the sequence of the lift, and the year it was made. See below for an example of how to read a Hyster forklift serial number.
Part 1: This section should be a combination of letters and numbers. This sequence refers to the design series and model of the lift, according to the table to the right. Click the table for a larger image.
Part 2: This section should be a single letter. It identifies the manufacturing plant of the forklift, as described below.
- A = Irvine, Scotland
- B = Craigavon, Northern Ireland
- D = Danville, IL, USA
- E = Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- F = Flemington, NJ, USA
- G = government contracts
- L = Lenoir, NC, USA
- N = Greenville, NC, USA
- R = OBU, Japan (OBU-SHI, Aichi-Ken, 474 IT)
- S = Sulligent Mfg Plant; Sulligent, AL, USA
- T = Masate, Italy
- V = Berea, KY, USA
Part 3: This section should be a number sequence. It indicates the sequence of manufacture at the manufacturing plant of the lift truck. The numbering of production models for each plant begins at 1501.
Part 4: This last section should be a single letter. It indicates the year that the lift was manufactured. 1957 began with letter A, 1958 being B, 1959 being C, and etc. The full alphabet is used, except for I, O, and Q. Below are some recent years for reference.
| Letter = Year the Forklift Was Manufactured (For older models) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = 1957 | J = 1965 | T = 1973 | B = 1981 | K = 1989 | U = 1997 | C = 2005 | L = 2013 | U = 2021 |
| B = 1958 | K = 1966 | U = 1974 | C = 1982 | L = 1990 | V = 1998 | D = 2006 | M = 2014 | V = 2022 |
| C = 1959 | L = 1967 | V = 1975 | D = 1983 | M = 1991 | W = 1999 | E = 2007 | N = 2015 | W = 2023 |
| D = 1960 | M = 1968 | W = 1976 | E = 1984 | N = 1992 | X = 2000 | F = 2008 | P = 2016 | X = 2024 |
| E = 1961 | N = 1969 | X = 1977 | F = 1985 | P = 1993 | Y = 2001 | G = 2009 | Q = 2017 | Y = 2025 |
| F = 1962 | P = 1970 | Y = 1978 | G = 1986 | R = 1994 | Z = 2002 | H = 2010 | R = 2018 | Z = 2026 |
| G = 1963 | R = 1971 | Z = 1979 | H = 1987 | S = 1995 | A = 2003 | J = 2011 | S = 2019 | |
| H = 1964 | S = 1972 | A = 1980 | J = 1988 | T = 1996 | B = 2004 | K = 2012 | T = 2020 | |
Check out the image below for REALLY old years. Remember, if the last digit of your serial number is one of these letters then that’s the age of the forklift. Remember Hyster re-uses letters every 20 years.
Hyster forklift model numbers
Q: How do I decode my Hyster forklift model number?
Similar to a serial number, Hyster forklift model numbers also have four parts: the type of truck, the truck’s capacity, the design series of the truck, and a further indicator of type for electric truck models.
Part 1: The first part is a single letter. This letter identifies the series of the lift, according to the following list.
- B = electric walkie/rider
- C = electric walkie, center control
- E = electric lift truck: counterbalanced rider, cushion tires
- H = pneumatic tire lift truck (IC)
- J = electric lift truck: counterbalanced rider, pneumatic tires
- N = electric narrow aisle truck
- R = electric order picker truck
- S = cushion tire lift truck (IC)
- T = electric tractor
- V = very narrow aisle
- W = electric walkie
Part 2: This section is either a number or a combination of numbers and letters, and it indicates the capacity of the lift truck. If the capacity is in the inch system, multiply the number in the model code by 100. This capacity is in pounds. For example, if this section of the code is “30,” the capacity of the truck is 30 x 100 lbs, or 3,000 lbs.
If the capacity is in the metric system, look at the number within this section. This gives the capacity directly in metric tons.
Part 3: This section is a single letter, and it designates the design series of the truck. The first design used is represented by A, the second by B, the third by C, and so on through the alphabet. The letters D, G, I, and O are not used.
Part 4: Finally, the last section is either a single letter or two letters that indicate further the specific type of an electric truck model. Note that XL and XM describe design concepts and can be disregarded.
- A = straddle
- C = center control – standrive
- H = pneumatic
- L = low level pallet
- R = reach
- R = rear standrive
- S = short wheelbase
- S = stepped battery compartment
- T = high level pallet
- T = three-wheel
- DR = double reach
- MD = man down
- MU = man up
Hyster older series codes
For Hyster forklifts built before the 1990s, see below chart
For more information and step-by-step instructions, read our other articles on forklift model numbers, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
Check out our tutorial on YouTube
I have a Hyster 40 serial # stamped in the frame the tag is gone but the best i can tell is F3A5304G the 5 could be an S not sure could you tell me as much as you can about the machine so I can get a manual and some parts to fix it please?
Here is everything I can tell from the provided material
Model: H40J Full Serial: F003A05304G
Truck Series: H Pneumatic Tire Lift Truck Capacity: 40 4,000 lbs. Design Series: J
Prefix code: F003 Plant Code: A Irvine, Scotland Line number: 05304 Year: G 1986
https://g.page/r/CcmRgabIlqghEB0/review
I have a Hyster H50 Serial # C187V07095P. Would this year be 1993 or 2016?
They only made the H50XL’s with a C187 serial number from 1981-1993 so you should have a 1993 model year.
https://g.page/r/CcmRgabIlqghEB0/review
Hello, how would i know if this Hyster H135XL, serial number: F006A02958J, is a 1965 or a 1988? The letter J goes for both years. Is there a way to determine this from the s/n?
The first production year for the H135XL was 1984 so yours would be 1988
Thank you very much! If you have a minute can you please complete a Google review? We would very much appreciate it! Click the link here: https://g.page/r/CcmRgabIlqghEB0/review
I have a H60B serial is B5D 2599D I cant seem to decode this I am trying to find the engine model # the tag is missing it is a 6cylinder I think it is a continental flat head forgot to say it is a HYSTER.
The engine in this Hyster was a Continental F-226 engine
Thank you very much! If you have a minute can you please complete a Google review? We would very much appreciate it! Click the link here: https://g.page/r/CcmRgabIlqghEB0/review
Here is my serial number..please tell me everything you can about it It is a hyster P40A
A119D03276B
This A119 serial number was built in Danville, IL. It was the 3276th truck built in 1981
https://intellaparts.com/c/hyster-forklift/hyster-parts.html
hi im chasing the year model of the following hyster 10t forklift model number H250E serial number B7S-1617P
1970 is the year on this one.
https://intellaparts.com/c/hyster-forklift/hyster-parts.html
I’m trying to find info on a Challenger 25. I believe the serial number is B001D12289Y. The placard is completely worn where the model is listed. What transmission fluid would this forklift use?
https://intellaparts.com/p/01019239/Intella-Part-01019239-Toyota-Forklift-Transmission-Fluid-ATF-Universal-Fluid-25-Gallon.html
Hello got this yale I’m looking to see what year it is and some info on it
GlC050denuae083
To get the year I would need a serial number. From the provided model I can tell you it is a Propane powered, cushion tire, 5000 lbs capacity, built in North America, with a Mazda motor, single speed automatic transmission, triplex mast, and a collapsed mast height of 83″
I HAVE A HYSTER MODEL 20 SERIAL NUMBER QN79616. what can you tell me about this machine?
Not a good serial number. Hyster has always followed the same format for serial numbers; letter, 3 numbers, letter, 5 numbers, and a final letter. Example A119D02345Z