What year was my small engine manufactured?

The engine's code number indicates the exact date it was manufactured. This system provides an easy way to determine the age of your small engine.

The following is an example of interpreting the date for the code number 99011556:

• The first two digits (99) denote the year of manufacture. In this case it is 1999.


• The next two digits (01) are the month of the year, which is January.


• The following two digits (15) are the day of the month. In this case the 15th.


• The final two digits designate the plant and assembly line.

Therefore, this engine’s manufacture date was January 15, 1999.

Unfortunately, the process for determining the manufacture date for older engines is not the same since the tracking system with the Code Number was not implemented until 1965. A great source for older and antique Briggs & Stratton engines can be found through the following link - B&S Antique Engine Dating Chart.