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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 have a hysterectomy forklift
model number – ZA80
S/N 98968
I can not find any information about this. Any help is appreciated.
The ZA80 series was a pneumatic tired forklift built between 1952 and 1957. Parts are not readily available, it’s truly a museum piece.
Looking for assistance in identifying a Hyster serial # and to see if parts are still available for these machines along with the year of the unit. C005T07421X
No problem finding parts, this is a H90C, 9000 # capacity pneumatic, email us at [email protected] and we can help you ID the parts you need.
can yo tell me what this number is for as there are no other numbers or markings on the forklift. D177B44312V
This is a H40XM, H50XM or H65XM. Depends on what size of counterweight was installed on it.
Hyster H90J
Where was the “Y” build factory, as in E005Y04223F ?
Does anyone have a Parts Manual for this 1985 Hyster please ? I especially would like the Parts Manual for the Hystamatic gearbox.
Please email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you the parts you need.
I too am having a problem figuring out year and model number of my, new to me, Hyster forklift. I would very much appreciate some help figuring it out. I have located a stamped number under the engine enclosure on the right side body of the forklift that reads “C4D8727” which I cannot seem to decode from the above charts? Also on the right side of the actual lift frame I have found “377681 V9949 4875 191.9 10-86”, does any of this make sense? Please help. I am needing to order some parts and manuals if available.
C4D = C004 = S60E S80E S100E or S120E depending on size of counterweight. Try to find the last digit after 8727 on the serial number then you’ll have the year.
Thank you for the prompt and very helpful information.
I have located a “G” after the above serial numbers, so it looks to be a 1986 year model. I am still having a hard time finding the correct parts manual on your website, is there a link you could send me? I try to look it up with all of thinformation you have provided though the search engines on your website, but still come up empty.
Please email us at [email protected]
Can you tell me year of manufacture for this Hyster H50XM serial H1771303063V
1998, see chart (V = last digit = 1998)
I have Hyster Sit on Forklift with an Flathead 4 Gas Engine converted to Propane. The number on the tag Says A3D 3681D. Based on the info provided I beleive it is a 1960 model year and it was built in Scotland? I live in Upstate NY . Did we import them? Can you tell who made the engine?
Correct on year. Serial number doesn’t provide any info on the specific engine sorry
Cannot figure out the year or model hyster i have, just that the engine appears to have a flathead 6 cylinder with a rivet plate on engine that reads 227 and the rest is scratched off. The serial number on plate on drivers side front says
# B4L 2061 G PLEASE HELP
Last digit ends with G = Hyster unit built in 1963
My hyster Canada truck has a gas continental 6.
The tag says Type G no. 12156C
Do you know the year and size?
Sorry, any chance you can send photos? [email protected], attn MVT