Finding the year my saw made.

[peterd]

G'day can some help me please, I hate to keep asking how old my latest saw is when I find a new one, and I keep finding them weekly is there any place where I can just look up the numbers and model?

I'm glad of all the help you have given me over the last week's, but I can't keep asking all the time, it's not fair on you.

Regards

Pete


 

[riseandrun]

Hi Pete. I tried finding the link, but couldn't. There is a post on here if you can find it that lists the serial numbers and what each number means. It will give you the date of manufacture.

[peterd]

Thanks for your time, been on-line for a hour trying to find a link that will give what I'm looking for date of manufacture with no luck, here or anywhere else.
Pete

[sawnami]

Here ya go Pete

HOMELITE-JACOBSEN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 185-008

SUBJECT: SERIAL NUMBERS

AFFECTS: ALL MODELS

The following information should answer most of your questions regarding serial numbers and how to read them.

EXAMPLE: Serial number: 4G1521238

"4" - This number specifies the assembly line the unit was built on. This could also be represented by a letter.

"G" - This letter specifies the year of final assembly. (See letter codes below). Before a letter was used to specify the year, a number was used. (See numeric code below).

"152" - The next 3 numbers specify the calendar day of the year (day 152).

"1238" - This was the 1,238th unit built that day.

"G152" - These 4 digits make up the LOT NUMBER.

LETTER CODE FOR YEARS:
C-1981 D-1982 E-1983 F-1984 G-1985 H-1986 I-1987 J-1988
K-1989 L-1990 M-1991 N-1992 O-1993 P-1994 Q-1995 R-1996
S-1997 T-1998 U-1999 V-2000 W-2001 X-2002 Y-2003 Z-2004

PREVIOUS NUMERIC CODE:

2-1972 3-1973 4-1974 5-1975 6-1976 7-1977 8-1978
9-1979 0-1980 1-1981

Prior to the 9-digit serial number now being used, an 8-digit number was used. The 8-digit number reads the same as the 9-digit number except the assembly line designation was not used.


Peery Gibson Service Manager Forestry Products

HOMELITE TEXTRON DATE: 3/85

[peterd]

Thanks I will do a print out tonight, once again I have to say THANK YOU But what if I find a older saw dating back to the 60s what would the codes be then please.
Pete
A Aussie from down under.

[sawnami]

That becomes a challenge. I've deduced year models of XL-12 and SXL's from service bulletins that have a reference to serial numbers. There is no year to serial number chart.

[peterd]

I'm onto a Homelite Zip, hay I see that I have change from a Groundie to a Collector wannabeand a green star , why the change?
Pete

[sawnami]

You'll need some ear protection when running that Zip. :-)

[sweepleader]

Label is automatically changed based on number of posts. :{)

[peterd]

I have to buy that Zip first, must add some photos of the saw's soon as the sun shines again, dead cold down under, it's on spring here.

[Supercharged86]

Pete, Prior to the eight digit serial number which as far as I can tell came out around 1970; Homelite used a seven digit serial number. Unfortunately, these serial numbers did not correlate to the exact year and day of manufacture that the latter eight and nine digit numbers do. So generally, you can only get a rough idea of manufacture based on the model of saw. Cheers. Steve

[sweepleader]

Chainsawlady has many-many-many years of sales records of lots of individual Homelite saws with S/N's and dates (as well as lots of NOS parts), she has been helpful to me in the past dating my 60's stuff.
Dan

[peterd]

Again many thanks to you's guy's, thanks Dan & supercharged86 ( Steve ) & sweepleader & sawnami. With out your help I would be scratching my head for years trying to date them all.
Regards
Pete
From Down Under