Every parts order, every warranty claim, and every annual inspection on an aerial lift or telehandler starts with the same eight to ten characters: the serial number. Manufacturers organize their parts manuals by serial number range because they change components in the middle of a production run, so “a Genie GS-3246” is not enough to pick the right controller, and “a JLG 450AJ” is not enough to pick the right joystick. This guide shows where the serial plate is on JLG, Genie, Skyjack, and SkyTrak machines, what the plate tells you, how to work out the model year, and what to do when the plate is damaged or missing. AirWorx supports parts and service for all four brands from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Warsaw, Indiana, and Flora, Illinois, and ships parts nationwide.
Look for a riveted metal plate (sometimes a durable label) on the chassis. On scissor lifts it is usually near the entry ladder or ground controls. On boom lifts it is on the turntable or the chassis near the ground controls. On telehandlers it is in the cab door frame or on the frame beside the cab. Photograph the whole plate. It carries the model, the serial number, the year of manufacture on most machines, and the rated capacity. Send the photo with your parts request and the order is right the first time.
What the serial plate tells you
Every aerial work platform and telehandler sold in the US carries a manufacturer’s identification plate. Depending on the brand and year it will show some or all of the following: manufacturer name, model number, serial number, year of manufacture (or date of manufacture), rated platform capacity, maximum platform height, machine weight, maximum wind speed rating, maximum number of occupants, and the electrical system voltage. Some plates also carry the ANSI standard the machine was built to (A92.20 for machines built since 2020, A92.5 or A92.6 for older machines), which matters for inspection and for which safety features the machine must have.
The serial number is the key. The model tells a parts specialist which family of machine; the serial number tells them which parts manual page.
Where the serial number is on a JLG
JLG scissor lifts (ES, R, RT, LRT, MRT series). The serial plate is on the chassis at the rear, typically near the entry ladder or just below the ground control box. On many models the serial number is also stamped directly into the chassis frame near the plate, which is where to look if the plate is missing. Older JLG scissors sometimes carry the plate on the inside of the chassis behind the pothole guard.
JLG boom lifts (A, AJ, S, SJ series). The plate is on the turntable, usually on the side of the turntable near the ground control station, or on the front of the chassis. The serial is often stamped into the turntable weldment as well.
JLG telehandlers (and SkyTrak, which JLG builds). See the SkyTrak section below; the location is shared.
Reading a JLG serial number. JLG serial numbers are typically 10 digits and encode the model and build sequence; the plate shows the year of manufacture separately. JLG publishes serial number breaks in each parts manual, and JLG Online Express (the manufacturer’s parts and manual portal) accepts a serial number and returns the correct manual set. The parts team will do this for you; send the number.
Where the serial number is on a Genie
Genie GS scissor lifts. The serial plate is on the chassis, most often on the side near the entry ladder or below the ground control box. On GS-1930 through GS-4047 models it is typically on the rear of the chassis; on rough terrain GS models it is on the chassis near the ground controls. The serial number is also stamped into the chassis on many models.
Genie Z and S boom lifts. The plate is on the turntable or on the chassis near the ground control station. Newer machines carry it on the turntable cover side.
Genie GTH telehandlers. The plate is in the cab or on the frame beside the cab door.
Reading a Genie serial number. Genie serial numbers combine a model code with a sequence, for example a GS-3246 might read GS4612A-12345, where the leading letters and digits identify the model and the trailing digits the build sequence. Genie prints the year of manufacture on the plate on most machines. Genie’s parts lookup (through the manufacturer’s Genie Lift Parts portal) uses the serial number to pull the correct manual and parts list. Again, the parts team does this from the number you send.
Where the serial number is on a Skyjack
Skyjack SJ scissor lifts (SJ3219, SJ3226, SJ4632, SJ4740, and RT models). The serial plate is attached to the chassis, usually near the entry ladder on the ground-control side or on the outer frame at the steer end. The serial number is also stamped into the steel frame near the base on most Skyjack scissors, which is useful because the plate on a well-used rental machine is often scuffed. The Skyjack Scissor Lift Parts guide has model-by-model notes.
Skyjack boom lifts (SJ40 T, SJ45 AJ, SJ63 AJ, SJ86 T). The plate is on the turntable near the ground controls.
Reading a Skyjack serial number. Skyjack serial numbers are numeric sequences (often 8 digits on current machines) and the plate shows model, serial, and date of manufacture. Skyjack publishes serial number ranges in its parts and service manuals and provides a serial-number-based parts lookup through its dealer network. Skyjack support can also confirm the manual set for a given serial.
Where the serial number is on a SkyTrak
SkyTrak telehandlers (6036, 6042, 8042, 10054, 12054). The serial plate is on the frame, typically inside the cab door frame or on the chassis beside the cab, and on many units also on the boom base. The serial is stamped into the frame as well. Because JLG builds SkyTrak, the JLG Online Express portal covers SkyTrak serial numbers and manuals. The SkyTrak Parts guide has more on this line.
Lull and Gradall telehandlers. Same general location as SkyTrak: cab door frame or chassis beside the cab. The Lull Parts guide covers the Lull line.
How to find the model year
Most plates built in the last two decades show the year or full date of manufacture directly. If yours does not, or the plate is unreadable, there are three routes.
Send the serial number to the parts team. The manufacturer’s serial breaks map a number to a build date range, and the parts team looks it up as part of the order.
Check the machine’s documentation. The operator’s manual and the original delivery paperwork list the model year, and rental fleets record it on the asset tag or in the fleet system.
Use the manufacturer’s portal. JLG Online Express (JLG and SkyTrak) and Genie’s parts lookup accept a serial number and return the manual set with its date range. Skyjack does this through dealers and support.
Model year matters for parts because of serial breaks, and it matters for inspection because the ANSI standard the machine was built to determines the required safety features and the inspection checklist.
What to do when the plate is missing or unreadable
Look for the stamped serial on the chassis or turntable weldment; every major manufacturer stamps it in steel in addition to the plate. If both are gone, the operator’s manual, the original bill of sale, the fleet asset record, or a previous inspection report will carry the serial. As a last resort, a parts specialist can often narrow the serial range from photos of the control boxes, decals, and specific components, because those changed at known points. Replacement serial plates are available from the manufacturer with proof of ownership, and a legible plate is required at inspection.
Why the serial number decides the parts order
Two examples from the counter. A GS-3246 from before a given serial break uses one platform controller; after the break, a different one with a different connector. A 450AJ built in one year uses one joystick family; two years later, another. Ordering by model alone gets the wrong part about as often as the right one on controllers, sensors, and electrical components. Ordering by serial number gets it right the first time. The parts guides for JLG, Genie, Skyjack, and SkyTrak cover what fails most on each line.
The Aerial Lift Parts guide covers identification and ordering across every brand.
Send the plate photo to AirWorx
Photograph the whole plate, plus the failed part and any fault code on the display, and send it with the parts request. AirWorx supports JLG, Genie, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Lull, and Gradall from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Warsaw, Indiana, and Flora, Illinois, ships parts nationwide, and the service department is behind the counter when the diagnosis is not obvious.
Frequently asked questions about lift serial numbers
Where is the serial number on a Skyjack scissor lift?
On the metal serial plate attached to the chassis, usually near the entry ladder on the ground-control side or on the outer frame at the steer end. The serial number is also stamped into the steel frame near the base.
Where is the serial number on a Genie lift?
On the serial plate on the chassis, usually near the entry ladder or below the ground controls on GS scissor lifts, and on the turntable or chassis near the ground controls on Z and S booms. GTH telehandlers carry it in or beside the cab.
Where is the serial number on a JLG lift?
On the serial plate on the rear of the chassis near the ladder or ground controls on scissor lifts, and on the turntable near the ground controls on boom lifts. JLG also stamps the serial into the frame or turntable.
Where is the serial number on a SkyTrak telehandler?
On the plate inside the cab door frame or on the chassis beside the cab, and stamped into the frame. JLG builds SkyTrak, so JLG’s portal covers SkyTrak serials.
How do I find the year of a Genie or Skyjack lift from the serial number?
Most plates show the year of manufacture. If not, send the serial number to the parts team, who match it to the manufacturer’s serial range and build date, or use the manufacturer’s serial lookup portal.
Why do I need the serial number to order lift parts?
Because manufacturers change components during a production run and organize parts manuals by serial number range. The same model can take different controllers, sensors, or cylinders depending on when it was built.
What if the serial plate is missing?
Look for the serial stamped into the chassis or turntable. Otherwise check the operator’s manual, bill of sale, fleet record, or last inspection report. Replacement plates are available from the manufacturer with proof of ownership.
Send the parts team a photo of the serial plate, the part, and the symptom. Contact the parts team, or call 1-833-424-7967.
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