Serial number, PIN, or VIN: what is the difference
Older and smaller equipment usually carries a short, brand-specific serial number. Most modern off-road equipment carries a 17-character product identification number (PIN), which works much like a car VIN and even encodes the model year in the tenth character. On-road trucks and trailers carry a standard 17-character VIN.
MachVerity reads the year from a standard 17-character PIN automatically, and decodes on-road VINs live against the U.S. government database. Short brand-specific serials identify the machine once you add the make and model.
Where to look, by machine type
Manufacturers stamp the serial in two places: on a data plate (a metal or foil tag) and stamped directly into the frame. The two should match. Common locations:
- Excavators: on the upper frame near the cab, often on the right side, plus a stamp on the main frame.
- Wheel loaders and backhoes: on the main frame near the cab or engine bay, and on the data plate inside the cab.
- Dozers and crawlers: on the main frame or dash, and stamped on the track frame area.
- Skid steers and track loaders: inside the cab, on the lift-arm tower, or on the frame near the loader arm.
- Forklifts: on the data plate mounted on the cowl or dash, which also lists capacity.
If a machine has a data plate, start there. Then find the stamped serial on the frame and confirm the numbers are identical.
Red flags to watch for
- A missing or replaced data plate. Plates fall off, but a fresh-looking plate on an old machine deserves a second look.
- A ground-off, re-stamped, or altered frame serial. This is a classic sign of stolen equipment. Walk away and contact the police if the numbers look tampered with.
- The plate and the frame stamp do not match. Never buy on paperwork alone. Match the physical stamp to the documents.
What to do with the number
Once you have a clean serial or VIN, you can decode its identity, see a market value from real sales, check for open safety recalls, and get a checklist for verifying title, liens and theft. That is exactly what a MachVerity lookup does.
Check a machine before you buy
Enter a serial or VIN for its identity, value, recalls and a due-diligence checklist. Free.
Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on an excavator?
On most excavators it is on the upper frame near the cab, usually on the right side, with a matching stamp on the main frame and a data plate. Always confirm the plate matches the frame stamp.
What is a PIN on heavy equipment?
A PIN, or product identification number, is a 17-character identifier used on modern off-road equipment. It works like a car VIN and includes a model-year code in the tenth character.
Is the serial number the same as the model number?
No. The model number tells you the machine family, like a Caterpillar 320. The serial number or PIN is unique to that specific machine and is what you use to check its history.
What if the serial is ground off or re-stamped?
Treat it as a serious warning sign of theft. Do not buy the machine, and consider contacting local law enforcement.