Where to find it
On Hitachi excavators the number is commonly on the front face of the machine, below the operator’s cab, on the left or right side. You will also find it on the right side at the lower edge of the cab below the windshield, and on a data plate inside the operator’s cab frame alongside the other machine specifications. Confirm the plate matches any stamped number, and treat an altered serial as a warning sign.
How the format works
Modern Hitachi equipment uses a 17-character PIN built to the same standard as a vehicle VIN, so the tenth character encodes the model year. The first characters identify the manufacturer. Older Hitachi machines, such as the EX series, used a shorter serial number that does not encode the year the same way.
MachVerity reads the model year from a standard 17-character PIN automatically.
Confirming the exact model and year
For a 17-character PIN, the tenth character gives the model year. For older short serials, cross-reference the number with Hitachi records or an authorized Hitachi dealer, who can confirm the exact model, year and build details.
Have a Hitachi serial or 17-character PIN? Run it through MachVerity to read the year, see a value from real sales, and get a checklist to verify title, liens and theft.
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Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on a Hitachi excavator?
Commonly on the front face of the machine below the cab, on the left or right side, plus on the right side at the lower edge of the cab below the windshield and on a data plate inside the cab. Confirm the plate matches any stamped number.
Can you tell the year from a Hitachi serial number?
If the machine has a standard 17-character PIN, the tenth character encodes the model year. Older short serials, such as on the EX series, do not, so confirm the year with Hitachi records or a dealer.
How do I find the exact Hitachi model?
Check the data plate and give the serial to an authorized Hitachi dealer, who can confirm the exact model, year and build details from the number.