Serial

If you're shopping for parts for your Caterpillar diesel engine, then you're going to want to make sure that you're getting the right ones the first time. To help us get you exactly what you need, you need to have your engine serial number handy.

Where is that, you ask? Well, we're going to take you through where you should be looking to find this information on your CAT engine. Read on to find out more!

Apr 05, 2020 The Caterpillar serial number tells you the machinery's series number, machine model and origin. You can find out the corresponding meaning to each series, model and origin number or abbreviation using the table found at http://www.topbid.com/resources/manufacturers/caterpillar-series-and-country-of-origin/. Caterpillar Serial Number Pattern. Caterpillar uses a 3-character alphanumeric prefix followed by a 5-digit number. You can reference the prefix in the Model, Series, and Country of Origin table. Example: D10 Crawler Tractor, 76X00367. Top Caterpillar Models Recently Sold at Auction. Serial Number Examples: Pre 2001, 8 digits: 4ZN, 17 digits: CAT00262LCED001660. VIN Number Location: On smaller models, on the left side at the rear of the machine, under the left support arm. On larger models the plate is found on the left side (highway) behind the cab under the lift arm (similar to Bobcat). Caterpillar Serial Number Prefix Sales 2018-08-17T03:58:56-06:00. Here we have provided the complete list of prefix codes for the different serial numbers that I put to use for caterpillar gen sets,and all the figures indicate the model and factory of the manufacturer. Most people also use the same for getting the right match while reordering.

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Where Do I Find My Caterpillar ESN?

Most engine serial numbers can be found on the dataplate, which is typically on the driver side of the valve cover. Not all engines are consistent in where they put these information plates. The dataplates for a certain type of engine can be found in various places depending on the model. However, Caterpillar is pretty regular with their location.

If you're looking for more information on ESNs in general, we have a blog about other diesel engine serial numbers!


What's the Format of a Caterpillar Engine Serial Number?

Its a little hard to find something when you dont know what youre looking for. We get people that try to give us part numbers, casting numbers, or even VINs instead of ESNs, simply because they dont know what an engine serial number should look like.

All Caterpillar ESNs have a similar format, which makes them pretty easy to identify. They all begin with a three number/letter prefix, which is then followed by 7 digits.

How Do You Read Caterpillar Serial Numbers?

The prefixes will correspond to a particular model, and usually to a certain subsets of the model. For the more popular prefixes, people will sometimes refer to their engine by the prefix rather than the broader model. You may have heard someone say, Oh, yeah, my 6NZ runs like a champ. A 6NZ is a common prefix for a single-turbo C15. Some prefixes even have reputations. For example, a C15 with a prefix of MBN is known as a Bridge motor (because it was the bridge engine from the mechanical C15 to the electronic C15 ACERT), and is often heavily criticized.

If you want to know more about one of CAT's most popular engines, check out our Caterpillar 3406E Engine Spotlight!

Caterpillar ESN Prefixes by Model

3406:

Caterpillar Serial Number DecoderDecoder
  • 92U

3406B:

  • 2EK
  • 3ZJ
  • 4CK
  • 4MG
  • 5KJ
  • 7FB
  • 8TC

3406C:

  • 3ZJ
  • 4CK
  • 5KJ
  • 8PN

3406E:

  • 1LW
  • 2WS
  • 5DS
  • 5EK
  • 6TS

C7:

  • KAL
  • C7S

C12:

  • 1YN
  • 2KS
  • 8YF
  • 9NS
  • 9SM
  • CPD
  • GEP
  • MBL
  • TME

C15 and C15 ACERT:

  • 6NZ
  • 9NZ
  • B5R
  • BXS
  • EGH
  • JEP
  • KRA
  • MBN
  • MXS
  • NXS
  • RKS
  • SDP
  • TRB

C16:

Caterpillar Serial Number Decoder

  • 7CZ

Why is My Caterpillar Engine Serial Number Important?

Caterpillar

As much of a pain as it can be to find and identify your ESN, its incredibly important that you do it when you go to order parts. Giving us your engine serial number will guarantee you get the right parts for your engine, because we can look it up to figure out what your engine was originally built with.

Cat Serial Number Decoder

You will see that when you entersome of our product pages, there is a box under our price with the available options. One option field that appears is for your Engine Serial Number. While youll be able to place an order without inputting your ESN, you will get a call from us asking for it before we will actually be able to get your order processed. And that just slows everything down.

List Of Caterpillar Serial Number Prefix Codes | Tractor ...

Got questions? We've got answers! Our ASE Certified Technicians can help you with your diesel engine part needs. Give us a call at 844-304-7688 if you have any questions! Or, you canrequest a quote online.


Originally Posted October 4, 2017; Edited December 3, 2019

Caterpillar Serial Number

    serial number
  • A number showing the position of an item in a series, esp. one printed on paper currency or on a manufactured article for the purposes of identification
  • A serial number is a unique number assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor by a fixed discrete integer value.
  • (SERIAL NUMBERING) The numbering of a printed product in sequential order. Usually for tracking and accountability.
  • the unique code that identifies your bicycle, also referred to as a frame number.
    caterpillar
  • (in general use) Any similar larva of various insects, esp. sawflies
  • An articulated steel band passing around the wheels of a vehicle for travel on rough ground
  • a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth
  • a large tracked vehicle that is propelled by two endless metal belts; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work
  • Caterpillars are the larval form of a member of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, with some species being insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered pests in agriculture.
  • The larva of a butterfly or moth, having a segmented wormlike body with three pairs of true legs and several pairs of leglike appendages. Caterpillars may be hairy, have warning coloration, or be colored to resemble their surroundings
caterpillar serial number - Construction Equipment
Construction Equipment Serial Number Guide: 2013 Edition
TopBid.com's Serial Number Guide for construction equipment helps you validate the year-of-manufacture to avoid paying too much when buying or not asking enough when selling your current equipment. Did you know an error of just one model year (2005 vs. 2006, for example) can change the price by thousands of dollars? The Serial Number Guide is the most reliable source for year-of-manufacture data on all major and hard-to-find construction equipment. This means you get over 50 years of serial number information from more than 550 manufacturers representing over 100 equipment types in construction, forestry, paving, material handling and aggregate industries - FAST! Manufacturers include Caterpillar, Komatsu, Deere, Hitachi, Daewoo, Dresser, Case, Galion, Kobelco, JCB, Fiatallis, Timberjack, Bobcat, Volvo, Vermeer, New Holland, Terex, Bomag, Gradall, Ingersoll-Rand, Genie, Raygo, Ranger, Prentice, Kubota, Lee Boy, Dynapac, Massey Ferguson, Blaw-Knox, and more. This book has been updated through September 2012. Top Bid compiles the industry's most comprehensive and accurate data using a unique production process that includes leveraging relationships with original equipment manufacturers and verifying serial number ranges using lien registration data. The book also includes shipping dimensions for over 15,000 models.
Ko'd KV-2
Tank KV-2 of 6-th tank Regiment of the 2nd Panzer Division, 3 1 1st mechanized Corps, abandoned in the battle for the city Island July 5, 1941 year. Machine serial number g-4754. The surviving acts on cancellation of tank kV-2 No. 4754 stated: 'the tank was hit, smashed Caterpillar, which is collapsing under. Projectile perforated lateral transmission reservation and damaged the control rods and side , it was not possible to make a turn. Battalion Commander gave the order to get out of the tank, and stayed in the tank. The fate of Captain Rusanova still unaccounted for, the rest of the crew returned to the part. Battlefield immediately engaged the enemy and the evacuation of the remaining machines from the battlefield became impossible.'Crew:— vehicle Commander Captain Rusanov;-driver Zivogladov;Commander artillery Osipov;— radio operator Voltchkov;— Hancevic Assistant Gunner.From July 1, 1941, 3 Panzer Division 1 1st mechanized Corps (until the dissolution of the Corps 17.08.1941) fought a battle for the island city of Pskov oblast.
Ken-grader102003b
Ridin high on the Arrow Five Ranch, Kettenpom, CA. The Caterpillar 12 motor grader was introduced in 1957. It was manufactured in the USA only.The 12 has a D318 six-cylinder engine producing 115 flywheel horsepower (FWHP). It comes standard with tandem drive and a gas start.The 12 was given a 70D serial number prefix.Production of the Cat 12 ended in 1959; it was replaced by the Caterpillar 12E.Based on data from the sales database of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, it is estimated that more than 4,200 Caterpillar 12 motor graders have been produced.
caterpillar serial number
Our Caterpillar D6H (serial Number 1KD1-up) OEM Operators Manual is an original OEM tractor manual from the original equipment manufacturer. Note that the image provided is for reference only. Tractor operators manuals (owner's manuals) supply the most essential information about your farm tractor and equipment. This includes detailed information on the controls, gauges, adjustments, operating instructions, maintenance procedures and troubleshooting tips for your tractor. Pick one up today and save yourself time and money on any repair!