Where to find it
John Deere stamps the serial or PIN on a data plate and into the machine’s frame. Location varies by machine, so check near the cab and along the main frame, and confirm the plate matches the frame stamp. Treat any altered or missing serial as a warning sign.
How the format works
Modern John Deere 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 three characters are the manufacturer identifier. Because John Deere registers PINs in public databases, a Deere PIN often decodes to the John Deere make automatically.
MachVerity reads the year from a 17-character PIN and, for registered PINs, confirms the John Deere make from the U.S. government database.
Confirming the exact model
The PIN confirms the make and year, but the exact model and build details are best confirmed on the data plate and with an authorized John Deere dealer, who can look up the machine from the serial. Serial formats are manufacturer-specific, so the dealer is the reliable source.
Have a John Deere serial or PIN? Run it through MachVerity to read the year, confirm the make, see a value from real sales, and get a due-diligence checklist.
Check a machine before you buy
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Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on John Deere equipment?
On a data plate and stamped into the frame, with the location depending on the machine. Check near the cab and along the main frame, and confirm the plate matches the frame stamp.
Can you tell the year from a John Deere PIN?
Yes, if it is a standard 17-character PIN. The tenth character encodes the model year, the same way a vehicle VIN does.
How do I confirm the exact John Deere model?
The PIN confirms the make and year. For the exact model and build details, check the data plate and give the serial to an authorized John Deere dealer.