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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.
I’m looking at getting a hyster forklift. I’m trying to find out some more info on it. The best I can tell the serial number is c5d 6833 and either a b or a d on the end.
C005 series indicates this is a H60C or H80C forklift. Same forklift, just different counterweight. H60C = 6000# capacity, H80C = 8000# capacity.
B at the end would mean it was built in 1981, D at the ends means it was built in 1983
The serial numbers I have seem to be longer. A219N03575G, B219N02170L, B219N0357G, do I still go by the last letter for the year? G for 2009 seems accurate, but L2013 seems off.
You have some extra digits there, I would double check the serial number on the unit. It’s also stamped in the frame if the data tag is illegible.
How old is my Hyster H80B? I can’t find a service manual and parts for it. Serial number is B5E1808E.
1961
Could I get some help identifying my hyster forklift nber I found is B3D7089N any help would be awesome
B003 prefix means it’s a H30F or H40F or H50F. Same truck, just different capacity. 30=3000# capacity, 40= 4000#capacity, etc.
N as the last digit means it was built in 1969. Email [email protected] and we can get you parts for this unit
Thank you for your info how do I go abiut knowing the capacity of it?
Hello my hyster forklift has vin# D2T3261Z what the model and year?
Thanks
This is the S30-50E or S60ES series. Actual model depends on lifting capacity of forklift (they’re all the same forklift fitted with a different size counterweight.
So it could be S30E S40E S50E or S60ES
Year built is 1979
Thousands of Hyster parts on line PLUS tech forums here: https://intellaparts.com/c/hyster-forklift/hyster-parts.html
I bought a hyster forklift with continental f245 serial number B4I2683H what model and year do I have an needing parts . Thank you
From the serial number prefix it’s either S60B or S80B. Last digit H = year 1964. Email [email protected] and we’ll get you all the parts you need for this unit.
I have a Forklift HYSTER 250 Serial C007PO-3909B Bought used before Year 2000. Is there anyway of knowing the year manufactured? Most info in internet is post 1995 manufactured models.
1981. We can supply parts for this unit no problem. [email protected]
What year is my forklift? its a S30FT and serial #E010V04228L?
2013 please use intellaparts.com for all your parts needs
Hyster serial number C5D21091? Thank you in advance.
You are missing the last letter of the serial number, please check again. The letter is what indicates year. It’s the last digit of the serial number