What's In A Part Number...

I've been thinking, again, about IH's numbering system. There has to be something to it & I hope someone can fill me in. I'd like to begin with an excerpt from an email to Leroy. Goes a bit like this:

"The part number for that bearing does start with a "K". I am still a bit of a novice when it comes to understanding part numbers, but I think the "K" in the part number references Keystone as in Keystone rakes. They (IHC) either designed the bearing box around the Keystone bearing or that bearings' specs were what they needed for that application. If the letter K is followed by a second letter, the latter letter denotes a revision. There are plenty of other prefix letters in the book, as well. "PO" (Parlin & Orrendorf) is usually a number found on pins & hardware, "Q" I think means quota. If so, it would be a reference to the hardware a dealer should always have stock of. A few numbers begin with "M". I believe these are from the Milwaukee line. There's one part number in the book that doesn't fit in with the rest, a Zerk #14186DA. I think it's from the tractor or engine line. All the "R" & "RA" numbers would be for parts built after the initial 1902 merger or after 1913 when IHC was told they couldn't monopolize towns anymore. IHC would then begin to number all of their parts with prefixes related to the type of machine i.e. "M" for mowers, "R" for rakes, "P" for planters, etc. "PO" numbers remained with the plow line for the most part. In the 1950's they revised the number system."

An afterthought: There are plenty of other groups that have me thrown, though. All of the old part numbers for the stationary threshers end with "N". Most all of the parts for my grain drill start with "N". The corn binder is all "C"'s & "Q"'s.

What about the new numbering system (ex. 251 293 R91 or 876 567 C91)? "R" can be found all over the place, in parts catalogs for most anything. "C" pops up quite a bit in the truck line. Refrigeration has it's share of "S" & "SE". I only have an owners manual for Milkers, but "C" or "CA" are the only suffixes. My tractor manuals are full of "D", "DA" & "R". The "R" numbers seem to be from the newer renumbering. "ST" seems to indicate a standard bearing, but what about "M"?

Then there's the numbers, "R91", "R92", etc. These seem to be assemblys. Single digits after the suffix seem to be individual parts. What about an "R11" number? On rare occasion I run across this suffix. The parts are individual & either rubber or hardware. Is "R11" the new "Q" code? I'm also wondering about the first 6 digits of the new numbers. Are the first three digits group? If so, there dosen't seem to be too much consistancy. The next three numbers I haven't a clue about. Too random.

Well, these are the puzzle pieces I'm working with. Am I anywhere close to right? If someone could fill me in on how they did it with the part numbers, I'd be much obliged.

Mike

You are at least half right. Guy Fay has an explanation in his Data Book. It takes about 6 pages to cover it. If you are that deep into the numbers, you need a copy of the book.

The manufacture did it's job well with numbers and letters to keep us confused and also the dealers.
The fisrt thing you learn when you start making a product is to apply letters and numbers to it that no one can understand.

I don't worry about them. In the 8 years since I retired, I think the parts books have let me down once. IH did a pretty good job with the numbers. And their computer system can cross all the old ones to newer numbers. There is also a pretty good explanation of the IH number system in front of all the parts books I have.

I havent read Guys book but from experience of being partsman since 1960 till 2007 with IH & CaseIH then CNH it was changed a lot. IH had a lot of Prefixs such as PO for plow works (the old P & O in Canton Ill) ST was bearings, they finally settled on blocks of numbers usually ending with R1, R91, remember trucks ran the show for IH entirely, then went to C1,C91, Hough Div had some H1,H91. If he explained it in 60 pages I would be surprised.

Thanks, guys! I have Mr. Fays data book on the way. We shall see what he has to say about the topic.

Mike

Hey, no kiddin'! My W6 parts book has some info on the second page in. I guess I should stop & smell the roses, every once & a while, instead of breezin' by & gawking.

Thanks,
Mike