The most frequently asked question I get is "how can I find out what year my Farmall H was made?".  That's easy if it still has its serial number tag. On a Farmall H, HV, Super H, or Super HV, the serial number tag should be on the left side of the clutch housing. For an H or HV, the number should start with "FBH", followed by the actual serial number, possibly followed by one or more other codes. A Super H or Super HV will start with "SH", but will otherwise be similar. Just look up the serial number in the table below to find the year. For example, if you had an H whose serial number plate said "FBH123456X1", you could extract the serial number, 123456, and by looking at the table you'd find that it was produced in 1943, probably fairly early in the year. The "X1" suffix is very common, and indicates a gasoline engine (higher compression, and without the secondary starting fuel tank used on distillate engines. Tractors without X1 will likely have a small secondary gas tank used for gasoline, to start and warm up the engine before switching to distillate.).  "X3" means kerosene.  For a complete listing of codes, check Guy Fay's excellent "International Harvester Tractor Data Book".

Farmall H and HV

Farmall Super H & HV

© 1999-2002 T.W. Cook - All Rights Reserved. Operating and repairing antique tractors is an inherently dangerous activity. In particular, Farmall H's predate many modern safety enhancements such as roll-over protection systems. Please, be aware of the proper safety procedures and take all possible precautions - be careful out there!

Some words, model names, and designations, such as "Farmall", mentioned herein are the property of the trademark holder, and are used for identification purposes only. This is not an official website.

This page last updated: September 27, 2003