Where to find it
Caterpillar stamps the serial or PIN on a data plate and directly into the machine’s frame. On many machines the plate is on or near the cab. Always confirm the number on the plate matches the stamp on the frame. A number that has been ground off or re-stamped is a serious warning sign.
How the format works
Modern Caterpillar equipment uses a 17-character PIN built to the same standard as a vehicle VIN, which means the tenth character encodes the model year. Older Caterpillar machines used a shorter serial with a letter and number prefix that identified the model and the factory, followed by a sequence number.
MachVerity reads the model year from a standard 17-character PIN automatically, and identifies the manufacturer where it is registered in public databases.
Confirming the exact model
The prefix or PIN alone does not always spell out the exact model in a way you can rely on, because Caterpillar’s serial formats are proprietary and have changed over the years. To confirm the precise model, variant and build details, check the data plate and give the serial to an authorized Caterpillar dealer. They can pull the machine’s build information from the number.
Have a Caterpillar serial or a 17-character PIN? Run it through MachVerity to read the year, confirm the make where it is registered, see a value from real sales, and get a checklist to verify title, liens and theft.
Check a machine before you buy
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Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on a Caterpillar machine?
On a data plate, usually on or near the cab, and stamped into the frame. Always confirm the plate matches the frame stamp.
Can you tell the year from a Caterpillar serial number?
If the machine has a standard 17-character PIN, the tenth character encodes the model year. Older short serials do not encode the year the same way, so confirm the build date with a Caterpillar dealer.
How do I find the exact model from a Cat serial number?
Check the data plate, and give the serial to an authorized Caterpillar dealer. Caterpillar’s serial formats are proprietary, so the dealer is the reliable source for the exact model and build details.