Identifying An Old Komatsu Forklift When The ID Plate Is Missing

[MikePhua]

Introduction
Buying an older Komatsu forklift without an identification plate can feel like adopting a stray machine with no paperwork and no history. You know it lifts, you know it runs, but you do not know what it is. Model, serial number, year, and engine information all matter for parts, manuals, and safe operation. When the data plate is missing, owners are forced to become detectives, using casting numbers, frame stampings, paint schemes, and engine details to reconstruct the machine’s identity.
This article walks through a real-world style scenario of identifying an older Komatsu forklift using only physical clues on the machine, with added explanations, terminology notes, and practical advice drawn from forklift industry experience.
Komatsu Forklift Background
Komatsu is one of the major global manufacturers of construction and material-handling equipment. The company’s roots can be traced back to 1921 in Komatsu City, Japan, and by the 1960s–1970s it had become a significant player in forklifts, competing with Toyota, Nissan, and others worldwide.
Komatsu internal-combustion forklifts are typically designated with codes like:

• FG – Forklift, Gas (LPG/gasoline)
  
• FD – Forklift, Diesel
  
• 15 / 18 / 20 – Nominal lifting capacity in decitonnes (e.g. 15 ≈ 1.5 t, 20 ≈ 2.0 t)
  

For example, FG15 usually describes a 1.5-ton capacity LPG/gas forklift. Through the 1980s and 1990s, many Komatsu forklifts shared similar styling: rounded sheet metal, relatively simple mechanical controls, and characteristic yellow paint. Later models added different paint schemes, emissions updates, and revised model codes.
The Problem Of A Missing ID Plate
On a typical forklift, the ID plate (also called data plate or nameplate) lists:

• Manufacturer
  
• Model designation
  
• Serial number
  
• Capacity at specific lift heights and load centers
  
• Mast type and attachments
  

When that plate is gone, three important issues appear:

• Parts sourcing – Dealers and aftermarket suppliers usually ask for model and serial number first.
  
• Load rating and safety – Without the official rating, the operator may overestimate capacity.
  
• Regulatory and inspection compliance – Many safety standards require a clearly legible data plate.
  

Older machines may lose their plates through repainting, damage, or deliberate removal. Owners then rely on frame stampings and engine codes to identify the machine.
First Inspection Steps On A Used Komatsu Forklift
When inspecting an older Komatsu with no plate, you can follow a systematic process:

• Check visual clues
  • Overall size and mast height
    
  • Tire type (pneumatic or cushion)
    
  • Paint scheme and approximate era
    
  • Fuel type (LPG bottle, gasoline tank, diesel, or dual-fuel)
    
• Look for stamped numbers on the frame
  • Komatsu commonly stamped numbers into the frame or fender, not just on riveted plates.
    
  • Typical locations include:
    • Top flange of the frame between the counterweight and the front of the hood
      
    • Left or right front fender
      
    • Areas near the tilt cylinder mounts
      
• Inspect the engine
  • Identify engine family: casting marks, displacement, and type label.
    
  • In many small Komatsu forklifts, Toyota industrial engines such as the 4P series were used.
    

These steps often reveal enough information to narrow the forklift down to a capacity range and engine family, even before matching exact model and year.
Finding Frame-Stamped Numbers
In the example scenario, the owner notices a six-digit number stamped on the front left area near the tilt hydraulic cylinder. At first glance, it looks like a serial number, but experienced forklift technicians warn that:

• Numbers near hydraulic components can sometimes be component numbers or sub-assembly IDs, not the truck serial number.
  
• Genuine truck serials are typically stamped on non-removable structural parts, like the main frame or integral fenders.
  

A good search pattern on a Komatsu forklift is:

• Sit in the operator’s seat.
  
• Dismount to the right side of the truck.
  
• Turn to face the truck, raise the hood.
  
• Scan the top flat/rolled portion of the frame, between the counterweight region and where the hood closes.
  
• Also check the left or right front fender, especially just ahead of the firewall, where the sheet metal often forms part of the frame.
  

By sanding off rust and paint, owners often uncover an alphanumeric sequence such as:

• Code:

  M016D-110772
  
  

This kind of code is typical: a prefix specifying model/series information, a dash, and then a numeric serial sequence.
Decoding A Komatsu Forklift Code
While exact decoding rules vary by series, there are a few recurring patterns in Komatsu forklift identification:

• The prefix (e.g.
  
  Code:

  M016D
  ) often encodes:
  • Series or chassis type
    
  • Fuel and capacity class
    
  • Market or design variations
    
• The numeric portion (e.g.
  
  Code:

  110772
  ) is generally the sequential serial number for that model.
  

In a lot of older Komatsu forklifts, model codes looked more like:

• Code:

  FG15-123456
  → Forklift Gas 1.5 t, serial 123456
  

In the inspection case, the truck has:

• An LPG/gas-type layout
  
• A Toyota 4P 1493 cc engine
  
• Physical size similar to a 1.5 t–1.8 t unit
  
• A frame stamping of
  
  Code:

  M016D-110772
  
  

From those clues, it is reasonable to conclude:

• The machine is likely in the FG15 class (around 1.5-ton capacity).
  
• Code:

  110772
  serves as the unique serial number.
  
• Code:

  M016D
  identifies a specific Komatsu design series or manufacturing batch.
  

Engine Identification And The Toyota 4P
A key clue on this forklift is the engine:

• Marked 4P
  
• Displacement 1493 cc
  

The Toyota 4P engine is an industrial gasoline/LPG engine widely used in forklifts and some other industrial machines. Terminology note:

• Industrial engine – A variant of an automotive engine optimized for constant-speed, heavy-duty work, often derated for longevity and fitted with different manifolds, governor, and cooling systems.
  

Typical characteristics of the Toyota 4P in forklift service:

• 4-cylinder, inline, overhead-valve (OHV) design
  
• Roughly 1.5 L displacement
  
• Output often around 35–45 kW (47–60 hp) in industrial tune
  
• Designed for long life at moderate RPM
  

If the original engine plate is blank or appears to have been ground down (for example, swirl marks that look like an angle grinder pass), the casting marks, displacement figures, and the

Code:

4P

designation still confirm what engine family is installed, which is enough for:

• Oil selection guidance
  
• Tune-up parts (plugs, cap, rotor, filters)
  
• Many repair procedures
  

Estimating Age From Paint And Serial Conventions
Experienced technicians sometimes estimate forklift age from:

• Paint schemes
  • Earlier Komatsu IC forklifts were often all yellow.
    
  • Later series introduced blue and white striping and more modern graphics.
    
• Letter-based year codes
  • Some Komatsu serial systems use letters to represent model years.
    
  • In one widely shared reference, a mapping appears for later machines (largely 2010s), such as:
    • K = 2012
      
    • L = 2013
      
    • M = 2014
      
    • N = 2015
      
    • P = 2016
      
    • Q = 2016 (overlap depending on series)
      
    • R = 2017
      
    • S = 2018
      
    • T = 2019
      

This mapping does not necessarily apply to an older 1980s-style forklift, but it shows how Komatsu sometimes uses letters in serials to encode the year. For older units, the combination of:

• All-yellow paint
  
• Styling and controls
  
• Engine family (Toyota 4P)
  

often points to a machine built in the 1980s or early 1990s. Field technicians looking at the example truck considered it likely 1980s vintage.
Why Model And Serial Number Matter In Practice
Even if the forklift works fine, there are practical reasons to identify it correctly:

• Spare parts ordering
  • Hydraulics, mast rollers, steering components, and transmission parts can vary between similar-looking models.
    
  • With the wrong model, you can end up with expensive mismatched parts.
    
• Service manuals
  • Correct workshop manuals and parts books depend on series and serial number ranges.
    
  • Procedures such as torque specs, hydraulic pressures, and wiring diagrams differ between models.
    
• Safety and capacity
  • Replacing or modifying masts, forks, or attachments without referencing the original capacity plate can lead to overloads.
    
  • Re-plating the truck with a correct or replacement capacity plate may require model and serial confirmation.
    

Practical Tips For Identifying An Anonymous Komatsu Forklift
For someone facing a similar situation, the following checklist can be useful:

• Locate hard-stamped numbers
  • Inspect:
    • Left/right front fenders, especially ahead of the firewall
      
    • Top of the frame under/near the hood
      
    • Areas around the counterweight junction
      
  • Use:
    • Wire brush or flap wheel
      
    • Sandpaper to remove paint and rust carefully
      
  • Record any alphanumeric codes such as
    
    Code:

    M016D-110772
    .
    
• Photograph the machine
  • Take clear photos from multiple angles:
    • Side view (showing counterweight and frame lines)
      
    • Front view (showing mast type)
      
    • Rear view
      
    • Close-ups of any numbers and engine markings
      
• Identify the engine
  • Look for:
    • Cast-in codes (e.g.
      
      Code:

      4P
      )
      
    • Displacement markings (e.g.
      
      Code:

      1493cc
      )
      
    • Any remaining tags or stickers
      
  • Use the engine type to narrow down likely forklift models that used that powerplant.
    
• Estimate capacity
  • Measure:
    • Fork thickness, width, and carriage size
      
    • Overall size of the truck
      
  • Compare visually with known 1.5-ton vs. 2-ton forklifts.
    
  • Most small Komatsu LPG trucks with Toyota 4P engines are in the 1.5–2.0 t range.
    
• Consult dealer or specialist
  • Provide:
    • Stamped number (e.g.
      
      Code:

      M016D-110772
      )
      
    • Photos and engine details
      
  • Komatsu dealers or experienced forklift shops can often match these to an exact model and series.
    

Maintenance Considerations For An Older Komatsu With A Toyota 4P
Once the machine is tentatively identified (for example, as an FG15 class unit), basic maintenance can follow general guidelines for that combination:

• Engine oil
  • For industrial Toyota 4P engines, a common recommendation is:
    • Multigrade oil such as 10W-30 or 15W-40
      
    • API classification suitable for gasoline engines (SJ or later), sometimes mixed-fleet oil for LPG units
      
  • Change intervals often around 250 hours, but older machines benefit from more frequent changes if usage is severe.
    
• Hydraulic oil
  • Many small forklifts run an ISO VG 32–46 hydraulic oil or equivalent.
    
  • Reservoir and filters should be cleaned and replaced on a regular schedule.
    
• Cooling system
  • The 4P engine should be run with the proper coolant mixture (usually around 50% ethylene glycol, 50% water) and maintained to avoid overheating.
    
• Fuel system
  • For LPG units:
    • Inspect vaporizer/regulator, filters, and hoses regularly.
      
  • For gasoline:
    • Keep carburetor and fuel lines clean and protected against stale fuel.
      

Even without the exact model code, using the engine family and general capacity class allows a responsible maintenance program.
A Short Real-World Style Story
Imagine a small fabrication shop in Texas that buys a cheap older Komatsu forklift from a local seller. The truck has clearly been working for decades, the paint is faded yellow, and the ID plate is long gone. The seller only knows that it belonged to his grandfather and “lifted whatever they needed.”
The new owner quickly discovers that without a model and serial number, getting parts and manuals is difficult. There are dozens of Komatsu models that look similar. After multiple online searches fail, he inspects the truck closely, scraping away layers of paint until he uncovers

Code:

M016D-110772

stamped into the left front fender — a moment of quiet satisfaction.
He then identifies the engine as a Toyota 4P 1493 cc, reads up on typical capacities, and concludes that the truck is roughly a 1.5-ton LPG Komatsu unit from the 1980s. With this information, a local forklift specialist helps him locate a compatible parts book and recommends oil grades and filters. Instead of scrapping the machine or guessing blindly at parts, the owner now has a workable “identity” for his anonymous forklift and can keep it in productive service for years.
Conclusion
Identifying an old Komatsu forklift without an ID plate is a matter of patient observation and interpretation:

• Frame-stamped codes like
  
  Code:

  M016D-110772
  are key clues.
  
• Engine information such as a Toyota 4P 1493 cc motor helps narrow down model and capacity.
  
• Paint color, styling, and expert memory can place the machine in the right era.
  

While it may never be possible to reconstruct every detail of the original specification, most owners can reach a practical level of identification that supports safe operation, parts sourcing, and effective maintenance. In the end, a carefully inspected “mystery Komatsu” can still be a reliable workhorse, even if its data plate has vanished decades ago.