Figuring out the production year of a Komatsu excavator is a critical task for maintenance preparation, components purchase, resale assessment, and regulatory compliance. Nevertheless, unlike typical assumptions, the main identification number etched onto the device’s framework or engine is not the direct indication of the model year. Komatsu serial numbers primarily offer to determine the particular equipment design and its one-of-a-kind production sequence within that design collection. They do not inherently inscribe the calendar year of manufacture in a globally standard day layout conveniently noticeable to the end-user.
(what year is a komatsu excavator of of serial number)
Depending entirely on the serial number for year identification is a regular resource of error. The key to properly figuring out the year of manufacture hinges on situating and interpreting the device’s Version Recognition Code Plate , likewise known as the manufacturing plate or spec plate. This steel plate, commonly attached to the excavator’s major frame near the taxicab entryway or on the hydraulic container guard, consists of important information. Most importantly, it consists of a Production Code , a 10-digit alphanumeric string structured as complies with: ‘L L N N’. The initial two characters (‘L L’) stand for letters identifying the specific Komatsu manufacturing facility where final setting up occurred. The succeeding 8 characters (‘N N N’) are figures forming the special serial number for that equipment within its model and manufacturing facility.
Beside this Production Code on the plate, you will certainly find the Day of Manufacture . This is clearly specified as a four-digit year and two-digit month (e.g., ‘2023 05’ for May 2023). This is the definitive and reliable document of when the excavator rolled off Komatsu’s production line. It is this day, not the identification number sequence itself, that accurately shows the machine’s year.
While the identification number sequence within a specific version created at a particular factory does increase gradually, implying a basic chronological order, this sequence does not reset every year. For that reason, a greater serial number does not always correspond to a later fiscal year compared to a lower identification number if production spans several years. The series is constant for the manufacturing run of that design variation at that plant. Moreover, Komatsu version designations and manufacturing practices can differ by global area, including one more layer of intricacy if attempting to infer year from model language alone. Older makers might likewise have various plate formats or areas, sometimes calling for consultation of certain historical documentation.
(what year is a komatsu excavator of of serial number)
For outright certainty, specifically when the plate is damaged, missing out on, or illegible, the most reliable approach is to get in touch with a licensed Komatsu supplier. Supply them with the complete Production Code (manufacturing facility letters and 8-digit identification number) and the full maker version classification. Komatsu preserves in-depth production documents linked to this Manufacturing Code, allowing their suppliers to verify the precise Date of Manufacture. Trying to use common on the internet “serial number decoders” or third-party databases frequently results in mistakes, as these absence accessibility to Komatsu’s main factory-assignment data and manufacturing logs. Making use of the wrong year can lead to ordering inappropriate parts, misinterpreting service warranty status, or misstating the maker’s age during sale. Consequently, always focus on the Day of Manufacture stated on the Design Recognition Code Plate or the confirmation given by Komatsu’s official dealership network based upon the full Manufacturing Code. This diligence guarantees exact details for all operational and transactional decisions concerning the Komatsu excavator.


