You can learn exactly when your Ford tractor was manufactured. It just takes a little bit of know-how to find and decipher the codes on your tractor. Here’s how:
First, locate the date code. You’ll find it on the right side of your tractor, imprinted on the flywheel housing. Look just behind the starter and above the lug nut in the flywheel housing.
You should find a series of three codes. The first is the tractor’s model number. The second is the production code. The final is the tractor’s serial number. These three numbers can give you TONS of information about your tractor, but today we’re going to focus on finding out the exact production date of your tractor.
To determine this, look at the tractor production code, also known as the unit date code.
The first digit of the tractor production code gives the production year. For tractors manufactured between 1965 and 1974, the digit corresponds with the last number in the year. So a tractor that is manufactured in 1965 would have a production code that begins with the number 5. A tractor manufactured in 1971 would have a 1 at the start of its production code (shown above on my Ford 3000).
Next comes a letter, which represents the month. January is A, February is B, and so on.
Then comes the day. This is a simple numerical date, 1 through 31.
Finally comes the shift. A tractor made on the midnight shift has a production code that ends with the letter A. The day shift got B, and second (afternoon shift) got C.
I know that this method works for Ford models 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000, but I’m not sure about other models. Let me know what kind of results you get on your own tractor!
Louise Bond says
Is a 1972 Ford 3000 an antique?
joe duennes says
my ford tricycle tractors serial numbers on the top row are 41102 and under those numbers are 56100. Can you tell me what that means as far as what year it is, etc.
Thank you,
Joe
Joey yonan says
I inherited a ford tractor an trying to identify it
The model number is 950-5-L. The five is confusing me hope some one knows it is a propane five speed high clearance. Thanks
DENNIS TRYGGESTAD says
DID YOIU FIND OUT WHAT THE -5 IS???
Larry Swaim says
Can someone help me out reading my serial number for the year Ford 4000
41014C
11 844 ok20
Ike says
Mine says D1014C
Lloyd Northcutt says
Any one know the answer. I have the same on my tractor?
carl says
i have a ford 2110 model. the only numbers i can find are on the hood flap
tractor C321079
model b1022b
unit 1111b
trans 1j27b
r axle 1f23b
can you tell me what year this tractor is and is it the 2110 model as the decal states.?
Ghee says
I have a Ford 1220 how do I look at the serial number and find out what year it is?
AT says
Depending on the serial number, you’ll be able to tell using either our catalog, or a site like Tractor Data. Here is the page you’ll want to look at for your tractor: http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/4/247-ford-1200.html
Dick Davis says
My Ford 3000: What Year is this?
Tractor No= 0340380
Model: 010130
Unit: 2E11B
Engine:2027A
Terry W says
probably 1972, April 11th by shift B or day shift.
Eddy Mariotti says
I have a Ford 3500
Tractor # C245594
Model # C5022K
Engine # 9E28B
John Doan says
I have a Ford 3000. Any information would be appreciated.
6h29b
34012a
C1483196ji
Terry W says
Probably 1966 August 29, day shift
Steve Johnson says
I am looking for the numbers all I have found is 850 129752 can anyone tell me any idea
Joe styke says
What is 9000 serial number C299114*?
Heath prine says
Trying to find more info on my Ford tractor, only numbers are on stamped on a plate under right side hood where battery is located. Numbers following:
Tractor number A160663
Model number 210 130? Might be a C
Unit 7108B
Engine 7G11B
Transmission 7K02B
Rear Axle 7K24B
Hyd Pump 7J21A
Hyd Lift 7K17B
Can’t find any numbers behind starter or on flywheel cover. Only other numbers are on frame directly under engine. C5NE 6015 T
And transmission has the following:
FoMoCo
C 5 NN 7006 BY
19:1168
I’m trying to find out model number(there is no identifying markings nowhere on tractor body. I don’t know the model, year, horsepower, anything. Trying to find out all I can about tractor because there is no markings and past owners didn’t have any idea either, they couldn’t even find the stamped plate. So I need all the info on it I can gather
Thank you all for your time
Terry W says
Look behind the starter on the right side, if it is a 2000, 3000, 4000, that is where you’ll find your numbers.
Bob Ash says
Could you help me to determine what year my Ford 3000 tractor is? I found this number directly behind the starter
C378811
There may be an additional 1 behind, ex:
C3788111
ST says
Bob
We have a list in the front of each tractor brand section in our catalog listing some of the years by serial #. If you do not have a catalog you can use our online catalog at https://www.steinertractor.com/Footer/FAQS/OnlineCatalog I hope this helps. Have a nice day.
Scott Mcmackin says
I can’t figure out my numbers
On engine is C5NN 6015
Just above oil pan looks like ND179422F220
Behind starter is
6F170
F 236
B*827307*
Any help is appreciated
Lisa Warren says
Hi Scott! Is there a letter after C5NN6015?
Scott says
Looks like a c but turned sideways
Terry W says
Hey Scott, the ones behind the starter are the ones you are looking for. Are you sure the o in 6f170 is not a c? if it is a C then your tractor is a 1966 model built in June 17th by shift C
Scott says
It is a c.
6F17c
F. 236
B * 827307*
1966 model made Feb 17 on afternoon shift.
What are the other numbers stand for?
Carl T Breland says
5 K 19 0
K 285
B026560
What can you tell me about these numbers. They don’t quite fit anything I have read other than the K is for October and B is an English built tractor. I have a photo of the numbers but couldn’t figure out how to post it.
Terry W says
Same as comment to Scott. The 5 means it is a 1965 model the K is the month which would be November the 19 is the date (19th) and the o which is probably a c would be the c shift. You have a 1965 built on November 19 by the c shift .
William says
Can you tell me or help me identify my tractor by the numbers I’ve found?
Model # C10136
B1884197
Serial # 196651 0202
Lisa Warren says
Model # C10136 = 3000 ag tractor with diesel engine… the last digit should be a letter, not a number.
B1884197 this almost looks like a serial number but it has too many numbers….
Hope this helps 🙂
Larry Allman says
I have a C-5NN 4024H MH 151266 is on the Left Side of the Tractor Anyone have a clue as to what this tractor could be I know it’s a 3 cylinder diesel Ford
Jan Grieve says
Can you tell me year of manufacture for a Ford 6610 SN BA88790.
Thank you.
Lisa Warren says
Right by the serial number should be the unit number – what is that number Jan?
Jan Grieve says
Thank you so much for your reply. The SN I have is from the mechanic. I have looked and cannot find the SN on the tractor.
Jan Grieve says
Ford 6610
Unit code 6E02B
Model EA414M
Lisa Warren says
Thank you for that info! Congratulations – you are the proud owner of a Ford 6610 tractor built May 2, 1986 🙂
Jan Grieve says
Thank you. I really appreciate your help.
Jan Grieve says
Unit # 6Ej02B
Model EA414M
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Beth says
Please help! Trying to identify our tractor! It’s a Ford 4000 gas 1970s ish….
Numbers on the engine are
D2 NN 7000 6c
D0 NN 6015L
C5 NN 4024Y
Any information would be appreciated!!
Lisa Warren says
Hi Beth!
D0NN6015L is the casting number for a 3 cylinder engine block. The serial number should be stamped into the starter mounting flange on the left side of the tractor.
Evan says
I have a Ford 231 tractor
model#BL213C
Unit#3G02B
Serial#C613031
can someone help me find out what year it is
Richard says
Trying to find year model Ford 3000 serial # C 486632 gas engine
Thanks for your help
Rich Garland says
Hi,
I have a Tractor No B516493
Unit 1D01B
Model DA214C
Can anyone determine the year of manufacture from that please?