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How to decode Hyster forklift serial and model numbers

Note: 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 = 1957J = 1965T = 1973B = 1981K = 1989U = 1997C = 2005L = 2013U = 2021
B = 1958K = 1966U = 1974C = 1982L = 1990V = 1998D = 2006M = 2014V = 2022
C = 1959L = 1967V = 1975D = 1983M = 1991W = 1999E = 2007N = 2015W = 2023
D = 1960M = 1968W = 1976E = 1984N = 1992X = 2000F = 2008P = 2016X = 2024
E = 1961N = 1969X = 1977F = 1985P = 1993Y = 2001G = 2009Q = 2017Y = 2025
F = 1962P = 1970Y = 1978G = 1986R = 1994Z = 2002H = 2010R = 2018Z = 2026
G = 1963R = 1971Z = 1979H = 1987S = 1995A = 2003J = 2011S = 2019
H = 1964S = 1972A = 1980J = 1988T = 1996B = 2004K = 2012T = 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.

aftermarket forklift parts Intella
Ancient Hyster serial number 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

hyster forklift parts

For more information and step-by-step instructions, read our other articles on forklift model numbers, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.


Post by Intella Parts Company, LLC

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367 thoughts on “How to decode Hyster forklift serial and model numbers”

  1. I HAVE A HYSTER LIFT SMALL, WAS CONVERTED TO LP, WAS GAS SAYS TYPE G ON TAG WITH YEAR 1944. THE SER, NO, BY HYD, TANK READS D2D7149 . WHAT DO I HAVE PLEASE HELP STEERING CYLINDERS LEAKS , AND I WANT TO FIX IT .

    eddie
  2. Hello,
    I have a 1970something Hyster Spacesaver. I’m looking for any information on year and engine. I would really like to find a parts or service manual for it too.
    Can you please help?
    SN A010D14782Y
    Also found a tag stuck under the seat by some previous owner.
    Y112 08503 748609
    281040

    Any help is greatly appreciated.
    Thank you

    Matt J
  3. Hello. I have an old Hyster Spacesaver. Ive been trying to figure out what engine it is. Id also really like to find a service manual for it.
    Can you tell me any information?
    Serial # A010D14782Y

    Matt B Jennings
  4. we recently bought an older lift ser# A024D05014C model S150A is there any information you could tell me about lift. im having trouble> thanks

    Brett Leech
    1. It was made in Danville, IL, USA. It is either a 2005 or a 1982 model.

      admin
  5. Is there any way that you can help me identify the year and model of my Hyster Forklift? I didn’t have any luck with the chart above, but I think it’s an H4.50XL

    The serial number is as follows: F005A11768M

    Roelof Dijkstra
    1. Because the serial number ends in M, it is either a 1991 or a 2014 model.

      admin
  6. Hyster S150A
    Serial No: A24D1899

    Trying to identify what year and engine this is?
    Thanks!

    Justin Banks
    1. Need last digit of serial number (will be a letter) to determine age.

      admin
  7. Hello,
    I recently purchased a Hyster H110F forklift serial # D006D02891T, can you tell me the year? It also has a GM inline 6 in it can you tell me what Cubic Inch motor that would be as GM had several different version of that Inline 6.

    James Graham
    1. 1973. Sorry that unit is so old we don’t have a parts manual for it

      admin
  8. Trying to determine a year of manufacture on a old Hyster but the serial number doesn’t have a letter at the end. The Model is YC-40 and the serial number is YC85234. Any ideas?

    David Peck
    1. 1950s

      admin
      1. Do you carry parts for the 1950s yc-40s?

        Jim
        1. Some of them. Getting harder to find though

          admin
  9. Looking for Model # and year for S/N C005D23066C

    Dave Koch
    1. Hyster H60C or H80C depending on size of counterweight.
      1982

      admin