Bought a used Hyster and was wondering what year your forklift is? This guide will be helpful. We’ll walk you through the Hyster serial number lookup and help you decode the year of your model.
Where to Locate Your Hyster Serial Number?
The most reliable way to do a Hyster forklift serial number lookup is to check the nameplate, aka a data tag. This plate includes various information about your forklift, such as its model, weight, lift capacity and the serial number. You can find the nameplate near the dashboard.
What If the Nameplate Is Missing?
If the plate wears down or has fallen off, you can find the Hyster serial number in its electronic system or on its frame. You can watch for the common locations below.
Common Locations:
- Right-hand of the frame rail, near the counterweight
- Right-hand side of the frame, near the counterweight
- Right-hand side of the frame, under the floor plate
- Rear of the base frame (two lines) in front of the steering tire, on the right-hand side
- On top of the rear bulkhead of the frame, inside the right rear leg of the overhead guard
The Hyster forklift serial number locations vary depending on the models. To find the exact serials, you must look for every corner of the forklift frame.
Hyster Serial Number Formats
The serial number of a Hyster forklift comes as a combination of letters and numbers. The format consists of the following four parts (See picture above):
- Part 1: This part has 4 digits that represent the design series and model of the lift
- Part 2: The part has one single letter, indicating the manufacturing plant of the forklift
- Part 3: This section should be a number sequence
- Part 4: The last section has one single letter, suggesting the year of the Hyster lift truck.
Decoding the Hyster Serial Number
Where Is My Hyster Built?
You can find the manufacturing plant of your Hyster forklift via Part 2, as described below.
| Letter | Manufacturing Plant |
|---|---|
| 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 |
What Year Is My Hyster Forklift?
Wondering how old your forklift is? This is indicated in the last letter of the Hyster serial number. Hyster uses letters A to Z in sequence to represent the year.
| 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 |
*Note:
- Hyster serial numbers do not end in the letters “I,” “O,” or “Q”. This avoids letters being mistaken for numbers.
- Hyster forklift serial numbers cycle through the same letter every 23 years, so you will need to have a general idea of the decade your forklift was built.
Hyster and Yale: What’s the Relationship?
Hyster and Yale are two well-known names in the forklift industry. Both brands have a rich history and significant market presence. They are often considered together due to their shared parent company.
Hyster and Yale forklifts can sometimes be identified using similar serial number systems. For instance, the first four digits of a Hyster forklift serial number and a Yale forklift serial number often indicate the model series. To illustrate this, a Hyster serial number beginning with “B230” indicates a specific series, while a Yale serial number with “B233” might refer to an equivalent model.
How Can I Source the Right Hyster Replacement Parts?
Proper maintenance and access to the right parts are essential for keeping your Hyster forklifts in optimal performance. Below, you will find details on how to access service manuals and how to find the right parts for your forklift.
Hyster offers several ways to access service and repair manuals with detailed guidelines on maintaining and repairing lift trucks. You can often find the manuals at authorized dealers or directly from the Hyster website.
What Hyster manuals typically include:
- Step-by-step maintenance procedures
- Troubleshooting tips
- Detailed diagrams
- Parts identification
Having these manuals on hand helps minimize downtime and ensures that repairs are performed correctly.
When ordering parts:
- Have the model number and serial number ready
- Use the parts diagram viewer for visual reference
- Check multiple vendors or authorized dealers for the best deal
Ensuring you get the correct parts the first time avoids delays and extra expenses. You can also find quality aftermarket Hyster forklift parts at FridayParts.
Conclusion
Hyster serial number lookup is essential for sourcing the correct replacement parts for your forklift. You can decode the year of your Hyster forklift by seeing the last letter of your Hyster serial number. Always choose parts from dealers or reliable aftermarket forklift parts suppliers. At FridayParts, you can source a vast selection of quality replacements for Hyster forklift parts, Clark forklift parts, Hyundai forklift parts, Yale forklift parts, Toyota forklift parts and more.
