Craftsman 917380520 lawn mower Parts

The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind mower is 917.380520 (often written without the dot as 917380520). You can find it on the mower’s model-number decal on the rear of the mower housing; confirm the exact format in the owner's manual.

Where to find the model number on the mower

Look for a decal or label in these common spots:

• Rear of the mower housing (this is the primary location for model 917.380520)
• Near the rear discharge door or deflector area
• On the deck near the handle mounting points
• On the engine blower housing (this is the engine model number, not the mower model)

Mower model number vs. engine model number (what to use when ordering parts)

Your mower and engine have different model numbers. Use the mower model number for chassis and deck parts; use the engine model number for carburetor and starter parts.

What you are identifying	Where it’s found	Example from this mower’s documentation	Used for
Mower model number	Rear of mower housing decal	917.380520	Deck, handle, wheels, blade system
Engine model number	Engine blower housing	143.945004	Carburetor, primer, recoil starter

Why it matters

Using the correct model number prevents wrong-part fit issues. For example, blade and blade-mounting parts are selected by mower model, while fuel-system parts are selected by engine model.

Parts examples tied to this model

If you are matching common wear items for Craftsman 917380520, these are examples of parts listed for this model:

• Lawn mower 22-in deck mulching blade 532406713 (blade fit and cut performance)
• Lawn mower blade adapter 581547901 (connects blade to the crankshaft)
• Handle knob 532185577 (handle hardware)

For additional parts lookups by model number, we list parts for 917380520 on this page and you can also search by model at Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917380520, the mower model number is on a decal attached to the rear of the mower housing; the engine has a separate model number on the engine blower housing. Use both numbers when looking up parts in the 917380520 owner's manual or ordering.

Where to find the numbers on your mower

Check these common locations first:

• Mower model number: decal on the rear of the mower housing (deck)
• Engine model number: printed on the blower housing on the engine
• Decal missing or unreadable: look for a stamped tag or remaining adhesive outline on the rear deck area
• Write it down exactly: include all digits, dots, and dashes (example: 917.380520)

How to use the model number to look up parts

Once you have the number, match it to the correct parts list and diagrams.

What you’re looking up	Number to use	Example from this mower
Walk-behind mower parts (deck, handle, wheels)	Mower model number	917.380520 (same as 917380520)
Engine parts (carburetor, starter, primer)	Engine model number	143.945004

If you’re replacing cutting parts, match by mower model first; for fuel and starting issues, the engine model is often the key.

Why it matters

Craftsman mowers can share similar deck sizes (like 22-inch) but use different blade adapters, fasteners, or carburetor configurations. Using the exact mower and engine model numbers helps ensure the replacement part fits and prevents repeat repairs.

Parts you may commonly match by model

These are examples of parts on this model’s parts list that often require an exact match:

• Lawn mower 22-in deck mulching blade 532406713 (blade fit and center hole pattern)
• Lawn mower blade adapter 581547901 (adapter style must match crankshaft and blade)
• Carburetor 632795A (engine-specific fuel system part)

You can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect if you are looking up additional diagrams or parts.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917380520 does not have a single built-in “model year”; the year is identified from the date code/serial information on the mower’s ID decal, not from the model number itself. Use the owner's manual to find the decal location and record the exact numbers before ordering parts.

Where to find the date information on this mower

On Craftsman model 917380520, we use the mower’s identification decal to determine manufacturing date details.

• Look for a decal on the rear of the mower housing (common location for the mower model decal)
• Check the engine blower housing for the engine model information (helpful for engine-specific parts)
• Write down every character exactly as shown (letters, numbers, and dashes)
• Clean the area first so you do not misread worn print
• Take a clear photo before the decal fades further

How to interpret what you find (what’s reliable)

Different Craftsman and engine suppliers used different date-code formats over the years. A common mistake is assuming the mower model number (917...) contains the year.

Item you’re reading	What it tells you	What it does not tell you
Mower model number (917380520)	Which parts diagrams and chassis parts list to use	The manufacturing year by itself
Mower ID decal date/serial code	The best clue to the mower’s build date	Exact purchase date
Engine model number (example shown in documentation: 143.945004)	Which engine parts list applies	The mower’s chassis build year

Why it matters

The correct year or date code helps match small but critical changes in hardware and assemblies, such as blade mounting parts and handle hardware. That prevents ordering the wrong blade adapter, fasteners, or carburetor components.

Parts ordering tip for this model

Once you have the decal information, match parts by the mower model and the correct diagram callouts. Common items customers replace on this model include the lawn mower 22-in deck mulching blade 532406713 and the lawn mower blade adapter 581547901. For broader model lookups and parts search, use Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems on the Craftsman 917380520 gas walk-behind mower are no-start or hard-start conditions (often fuel or ignition related), poor cutting from a dull or damaged blade, and vibration after a blade strike. Our owner's manual outlines key maintenance and safe blade service steps.

Most common symptoms and what usually causes them

• Won’t start / hard to start: stale fuel, dirty carburetor passages, fouled spark plug, clogged air filter, or a primer/fuel delivery issue
• Starts then dies: restricted fuel flow, carburetor bowl contamination, or a sticking float/needle
• Rough running / surging: partially clogged carburetor, air leak, or old fuel
• Excessive vibration: bent blade, loose blade hardware, or damage after hitting a stump or rock
• Poor cut quality: dull blade, wrong blade installed, or grass buildup under the deck

Quick checks we recommend (safe and fast)

• Use fresh gasoline and drain old fuel if it smells sour or looks dark.
• Inspect the blade for bends, cracks, or heavy nicks; replace if damaged.
• Confirm the blade bolt and hardware are tight after service.
• Clean packed grass from the underside of the deck (with the spark plug wire disconnected).
• If the engine floods easily, inspect the carburetor bowl area for debris.

Blade and vibration: what the manual specifically calls out

When servicing the blade, the manual directs you to disconnect the spark plug wire first, tip the mower with the air filter and carburetor facing up, block the blade with wood, and remove the blade bolt using a 9/16-inch wrench. If you need common blade-mounting parts for this model, we often see customers replace the lawn mower blade adapter 581547901 and the lawn mower 22-in deck mulching blade 532406713 when vibration or poor cutting follows a blade strike.

Helpful part and task comparison

Problem you notice	Most likely area	Typical fix
Won’t start	Fuel/ignition	Fresh fuel, spark plug service, carburetor cleaning
Starts then dies	Carburetor bowl/needle	Clean bowl, inspect float/needle
Vibrates	Blade/blade mount	Replace bent blade, check adapter and fasteners
Leaves uncut strips	Blade/deck	Sharpen or replace blade, clean deck

Why it matters

Ignoring fuel and blade issues can turn a simple tune-up into bigger repairs. A sharp, properly mounted blade improves cut quality and reduces vibration that can loosen fasteners and stress the crankshaft.

You can order replacement parts for your Craftsman 917380520 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026