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Perkins Serial Numbers Explained

Deducing relevant information from your Perkins engine is extremely important when purchasing engine replacement parts for maintenance purposes. Understanding this information will also play an important role in selling your Perkins engine, generator, or a machine that uses Perkins engines.

The first item that needs to be completed is the location of the Perkins ID tag. Mostly this is a metal tag riveted to the engine block, with the serial number embedded. This label will also have other Perkins information. A typical serial number is written as TU30008U510256F. On closer examination, this can be further subdivided into five (5) segments. Typically this should be understood as TU, 30008, U, 510256, and F.

The “TU” represents the engine family and type code. This refers to what most people call the “Model Number.” This “TU” should be cross-referenced to the “Perkins Engine Types and Families Table”. In that graphic, the “TU” indicates that the engine model is T6.3544. So, you can immediately see that this engine is the base model is the 6.354 model. N.B. A 6.354 engine is different from a T6.3544 engine.

The second number, 30008, is called the parts list number. Some technicians prefer to call this the “build number”. This is used to select engine kits and parts by build number as directed by Perkins.

The third factor “U” indicates the country of manufacture. The “U” stands for the United Kingdom. Perkins engines were manufactured in many countries including Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Uruguay, Japan, Korea, Italy, Mexico, USA, Poland, India, South Africa , Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Peru, and Yugoslavia, each with their own unique country code.

The fourth factor, the number 510256 is the sequential serial number as the engine is pulled off the assembly line. Therefore, this is the 510,256 engine to be built within this build number. This sequential serial number continues until the engine is discontinued or Perkins decides to build a different model. Engine Serial Number (ESN) breaks are crucial in determining the correct Perkins aftermarket parts.

The last factor, the “F”, indicates what year the engine was manufactured. “F” refers to the year 1979. The type serial number TU30008U510256F is typical of two (2) liter engines built after 1974. Perkins two (2) liter engines built after 1994 will have a serial number slightly different engine.

A typical ESN after 1994 will look like DGB060081U0017B. This can be further subdivided into D, G, B, 06, 0081, U, 0017, and B. This is a motor used in a Perkins generator.

The “D” represents the type of generator end that is attached to the Perkins engine. In this example, D is for the ends of the Stafford generator.

The “G” stands for the engine application type. Is it made for agricultural use? Construction use? The G is used for generator applications.

The “B” is the engine type or engine model as technicians prefer to say. The “B” here refers to the Prima or 500 Series engine. Popular engine types are the 1004.4 and 1006.6 engines.

The “06” indicated the number of cylinders that the engine has, in this case six (6) cylinders.

The “U” retains the same meaning as the first serial number explained, that is, the country of manufacture.

The “0017” is the sequential serial number, meaning it is the 17th engine to be built that year.

The last letter of the serial number, “B”, is the year of manufacture. From the Perkins engine graphics, B is from the year 1996.

There are other models of Perkins engines, and the serial numbers will have slight variations to the two explained here.

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