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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.
Hi there my serial number is H177 B05278V it says Hyster lift truck model H60XM. It has 6,000 hours. Could you please tell me the year and roughly what you think it’s worth it’s working great I’m in California
You are missing digits on your serial number. Can you double check please
What could possibly be the model year for a Hyster model E60XN-33. I have the serial as 63010K5 but not so sure if it is accurate.
You’re missing the serial number, check the dash board of the forklift, you’ll see a legal looking plate. If that plate is missing look at another one in same vintage. Last digit is a letter and will represent the year and the web page will help you decode.
Are you guys maintaining your own equipment or is Pape doing it these days?
Hi, under the hood I have B3D1523J stamped into it. I was hoping to find out the year and model. I’m desperately needing info on manual oil clutch system.
B3D indicates the series. That series was H30F thru H60F. Depending on size of counterweight would depend on actual model.
Year would be 1965
We have a Hyster Lift Truck with a serial number of A187V05837H. I’m a bit confused on how to figure out the year and model. Can you help? Thank you!
The tag should say the exact model but from that serial prefix it’s either S40Xl S50XL or S60XL Year built is 1987
Please check us out for parts [email protected]
WE HAVE AN OLD GHYSTER FORKLIOFT. THE DATA PLATE IS DESTROYED. I WAS GIVEN THESE NUMBERS; MODEL # LD8M69, SERIAL # B019D01816G. I CANNOT FIND/LOCATE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS UNIT AND CANNOT LOCATE ANY PARTS
Should be a Hyster H300 through H360
Email us at [email protected] and we can help ID the parts you need.
Hello I picked up a model S30A
Ser# A10D 5520L
What can you tell please.
I see it as a
3000 pound 2013 but it looks much older,
plus it has the Montrol Hystamatic trans with hyd pedal not electric forward and reverse
Thank you much.
Should be 1967. They cycle through the alphabet and then re-use the letters again
Should be 3000 pound capacity forklift if you need parts contact us [email protected]
Hi, I have a Hyster 12 ton with the following serial on the plate: C0-708-058 looking for info,like replacement lift cylinder. rod and barrel badly damaged. Where can I find one?
Email us at [email protected]
Serial number C2D 16010U
Please decode
C2D prefix is either S30C S40C or S50C
U at end of serial number means it was built in 1974
Any parts needs contact us online [email protected]
I have a Hyster cushion 4-wheel forklift with serial # B4L4592K. Can you tell my the engine model number? I’m trying to find a rebuild kit for the engine. The counter weight has a number of H123.273 cast into it. Thanks.
We will email you
Hi, could you please help me identify my Hyster forklift, the number stamped on it is C2S2440Y. Thanks
S30C or S50C. Built in 1978
Thank you very much, it doesn’t have a plate anymore, any other place where it might show which one it is? the mast goes up about 7 meters or 275 inches (about 23 feet) if that helps determine the model? All I need to know is how much it was rated to lift. Thanks