Exposed to harsh operating conditions and long hours, your farming equipment can break down just like the diesels on the highway. And we know how frustrating it can be to struggle to find parts for your engine applications.
When your tractor or combine goes down, you need to have your equipment back up and running as soon as possible, and we want to help make that happen. No matter what engine you have—Caterpillar, John Deere, Cummins—knowing your engine serial number when ordering parts can help save you time and prevent mistakes. In this post, we’re going through some helpful hints when it comes to locating the ESN on your Caterpillar, John Deere, or Cummins diesel engine. Where is Your Engine Serial Number Located? Depending on the engine manufacturer, and sometimes the engines themselves, the location of your serial number can vary. Here’s where to start looking: Caterpillar Engines Often, the ESN for your Caterpillar engine can be found on the data plate. This is usually located on the fuel pump side of the block, or on the valve cover. Fortunately, Caterpillar is pretty regular with where they put the ESNs. John Deere Engines On your John Deere engines, look for the ESN on a plate on your engine. This tag is typically attached to one side of the engine. Sometimes, you might also find it useful to know your casting numbers, located on the engine block itself and the connecting rods. Cummins Engines Similarly, you should be able to find the ESN on your Cummins engine on the data plate. It’s good to know where the plate is, as it also contains other useful information, like CPL, horsepower, and RPM rating. It might be difficult to locate the plate, though, because it’s in a different spot depending on the engine model. Check your owner’s manual—the location of the data plate can be found there. How are the ESNs Formatted? Different numbers on your engine indicate different things, so it’s important to know the format of the ESN to make sure you’re using the right number. Caterpillar On your Caterpillar engine, the ESNs should have a pretty similar format. This makes them easier to spot. They should all start with a three number and letter prefix, followed by 7 digits. John Deere You’ll find that generally John Deere ESNs are either 13 or 17 characters long. The beginning two letters indicate which factory the engine was produced in. The following four digits indicate the engine model, with another letter for the emission code. On older engines, this stands for the aspiration code, but it’s the emission certificate on the newer engines. Your last six digits are the serial number sequence. Cummins Your Cummins serial number will look like what you’d expect a classic ESN to look like. They are usually eight digits long, but older engines might have 6 (we don’t see this often any more). These ESNs will be made up of only numbers, which go in a numerical sequence based on when they came off the assembly line. You won’t find a particular designation for individual models. It can be a pain to find your ESN, but it can really help you out when ordering parts. Part numbers will work if you only need a part or two, but if you need a rebuild kit, the ESN is vital. With it, we can look up the exact parts your engine was built with, so you can get the right components the first time. You might also be able to find your ESN electronically. This is especially handy if the tag is missing. A lot of modern engines have an ECM. With the necessary equipment, you can connect to the ECM and get your ESN. Be careful, though, when taking an ESN from the valve cover or ECM. If these parts are from a different engine, you might not have the correct ESN. It’s also possible that the configuration of your engine has changed in a previous repair. It’s wise to check the part numbers that come out of the engine on components like bearing and liners to look for different sizes and configurations. If you need help with your engine, our team of certified experts is here for you! From diagnosis through delivery, we’re Highway & Heavy Parts!Related Articles: WHAT DIESEL INFORMATION DOES HHP NEED TO QUOTE A JOHN DEERE KIT? HOW TO FIND CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS: LOCATIONS & FORMAT
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