Recent Purchase. 555B Can someone explain how to tell the year from the serial number?

Joshua Shoemaker · Jul 18, 2023

This is my first backhoe. I'm in the process of building a house and so far all the prices I have attained for work is out of my budget. Which is typical for most of my life. So once again, I will spend the money on things I can't do myself or have the time to do. Since I have to dig footers, basement, powerlines, waterlines, and septic system. I got this. I believe this is a late 85 or an early 86. If someone needs more information, let me know. Any help would be appreciated.

Chewwy · Jul 18, 2023

Joshua Shoemaker said:
This is my first backhoe. I'm in the process of building a house and so far all the prices I have attained for work is out of my budget. Which is typical for most of my life. So once again, I will spend the money on things I can't do myself or have the time to do. Since I have to dig footers, basement, powerlines, waterlines, and septic system. I got this. I believe this is a late 85 or an early 86. If someone needs more information, let me know. Any help would be appreciated.

Try this

https://www.ehow.com/how_7891730_year-ford-555b-backhoe.html

Joshua Shoemaker · Jul 18, 2023

Chewwy said:
Try this

https://www.ehow.com/how_7891730_year-ford-555b-backhoe.html

Yeah I went there and it says to go to the steering wheels bearing and I have no idea what that means. There is no data tag in the cab. If there is supposed to be one, its not there.

Chewwy · Jul 18, 2023

Joshua Shoemaker said:
Yeah I went there and it says to go to the steering wheels bearing and I have no idea what that means. There is no data tag in the cab. If there is supposed to be one, its not there.

Can you provide a better picture of the entire tag (shown on your first pic)? That is the “tag next to your steering wheel“ that has the info you are looking for.

You may need to do a pencil lead eching on a sheet of paper to be able to read all the info.

droptop · Jul 18, 2023

I found an 555B with a serial of CB 44080 at https://www.auctiontime.com/listings/construction-equipment/auctions/online/224278259/1983-ford-555b that says it a 1983. Thats only 72 units after yours.

TractorTech · Jul 19, 2023

The serial number will start with the letter C followed by 6 digits. The date code will be number, letter, two numbers and letter.
What is pictured is a component plate for the backhoe or loader.
The model/serial number/date code plate is or was on the steering cowling LH side as you climbed on the tractor.
The other place to find these is on the RH top of the bell housing behind the starter stamped into the housing.

What Chewwy provided on deciphering the date is right on point

Joshua Shoemaker · Jul 19, 2023

TractorTech said:
The serial number will start with the letter C followed by 6 digits. The date code will be number, letter, two numbers and letter.
What is pictured is a component plate for the backhoe or loader.
The model/serial number/date code plate is or was on the steering cowling LH side as you climbed on the tractor.
The other place to find these is on the RH top of the bell housing behind the starter stamped into the housing.

What Chewwy provided on deciphering the date is right on point

Okay,
There is nothing on the steering column. The only data tag is on the left side up near the top...see attached. I will have to see if I can retrieve it off the bell housing.

TractorTech · Jul 19, 2023

Joshua Shoemaker said:
Okay,
There is nothing on the steering column. The only data tag is on the left side up near the top...see attached. I will have to see if I can retrieve it off the bell housing.

That tag is the ROPS or cab tag. If it were present, it would look like the one pictured like the one on my 550.