TextNote: Looking to locate your Hyster serial number? We’re not affiliated with the Hyster Company but we know a lot about Hyster forklifts and we like sharing our knowledge.
Download our easy use PDF guide for Hyster serial/model numbers! Click here.
Sick of overpriced Hyster parts? We can help with aftermarket parts! Click here.
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.
Hi, my hydraulic steering has gone out. The steering spins infinitely right or left and the wheels don’t move. This may have happened when I was attempting to turn the wheel while there was an obstacle on one side. I want to make sure I have the correct model and year. I can’t determine the model from the chart. I believe it is a 1970. Perkins. B3D 7860P is all I have found.
The model is H30F
If you need parts on this please email [email protected]
We can ID the parts with the info you provided.
Thanks. H30F? It was sold to me as a 6000# unit. Perkins Diesel, manual trans, side-shift, large front pneumatic tires, Stevedore with a much larger looking removable counterbalance hanging fairly far off the rear end. I was thinking worse case he might have made a mistake and it was a 50 but the counterbalance does sit higher than the horizontal seating area in a 50 so I was figuring a 60.
Sorry let me rephrase that. the B3 means it could have been a 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 unit.
Same chassis, only difference is counterweight. When I was looking at the book I didn’t turn the page (!) and see the other models.
Could be H30F H40F H50F H60F.
Hi. We’re looking to order parts for a Hyster H60C s/n C5T 75431, but are unable to find anything using that serial number. Any advice?
What kind of parts are you looking for? Some parts are the same for all serial numbers for a particular model. Other types of parts (like LPG fuel systems) were the same for decades.
Try emailing your info, photos, datatag, etc to [email protected] and we can try to work it out.
Our forklift Serial No is: G5A3651S
Can you advise what year and CC rating it is please.
Thank you
I’m Lost , need to ID mine Hyster Diesel 6000 Pound, , Tag on Dash says 194A , Class D, , under the hood near batteries says D3D7009, On Right side of mast says , 22736 , 1225, 185482, 1 – 77. Top of fork head says 77, , 257480. Motor on head says ; 8F6, 37116368, W1, . Injector pump says ; 342, R09782 2UT, 3246F907 .
I Need transmission parts and Injector parts, and service manual
Your serial number is D3D7009
H60H
You’re missing last digit on the serial number which would determine year.
Looking for year of a Hyster
H60FT
L177B05605D
Tks,
2006
I have a Hyster H60C with serial Number C5D 3219 H Diesel forklift. This is what I have so far: H for pneumatic, 60 for 6,000 lbs, C = third design for this model. From serial #, H for year built-either ’64 or ’87 and the 3219th built at Danville, Illinois. What does the C5 designate?
Yep you got it
C5 is the numerical designation for the design series.
C5 could be a H60C, H70C, or H80C, only difference is the counterweight for different capacity. All H60C/H70C/H80C would have serial number prefixes of C5
Now to add another wrench in it, C5 is the old style 2 digit designation. Years ago they ran out of numbers so they made the prefix 4 digits instead of 2 so C5 would today be C005
hello,
If they reused the letters how do I know what year it is? VIN is D005D01959E
Generally since it’s such a huge spread of years between repeating, you look at the forklift and make a judgement on what year the thing was built in
I have a Hyster with type GS
NO. G-476001
I do not see a ending letter for year.
How can I get the year?
GS is the factual mutual rating for hazardous duty. Keep looking, that’s not the model or serial number.
I have a Hyster S50XM with a VIN of D187V04252T. From what I can tell they put two different motors in these and I need to know which one I have.
Sadly in that vintage, Hyster didn’t document which motor was in the truck. From experience it’s probably a GM 3.0 but could be Mazda as well, FE or F2.