there is no good way except by serial number to see what year you have. a tractor sold new to you today in 2001 may have been built in 2000 by serial number. just as a tractor sold to you in jan-feb. 2002 will probably be built in late part of 2001 unless you actually order one from the factory in 2002. but this also could be iffy since NH is currently building up its inventory in georgia for a new dealer ordering program they are currently starting to implement with dealers. I dont expect to see most of the 2001 tractors moved out of the depot until march or april of 2002 with the new program.