Owner’s manual
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How old is my mower by serial number?
On Craftsman gas walk-behind mower model 917378931, the serial number is printed on a decal on the rear of the mower housing. That serial number identifies the production run, but the most reliable “age” date is the date of purchase you recorded in the 917378931 owner's manual.
Look for the model/serial decal in these common spots:
- Rear of the mower housing (most common for this model)
- On the deck near the rear discharge area
- Near the height adjuster hardware
- On the handle bracket area (less common)
Many outdoor power products use serial formats that are not a simple month/day/year code. For Craftsman walk-behind mowers, we use these practical ways to narrow it down:
- Compare the serial number on the decal to any paperwork (receipt, service ticket, warranty registration)
- Check for a handwritten purchase date in your manual’s “Date of Purchase” field
- Use parts history as a clue (for example, if you replaced a drive belt or wheel components recently)
- If the decal is damaged, clean it gently and take a clear photo before it fades further
| What you have | What it tells you | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase receipt | Exact age | Use receipt date as the start date |
| Manual with date filled in | Exact age | Use that recorded date |
| Serial number only | Production identification | Match it to records or service history |
Knowing the mower’s age helps you plan maintenance and parts replacement intervals (blade, belt, wheel hardware) and makes it easier to confirm you are ordering the correct Craftsman parts for model 917378931.
Last updated: January 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917378931?
The model number for this Craftsman gas walk-behind lawn mower is 917.378931 (often written without the dot as 917378931). You can confirm it on the mower’s model tag and in the 917378931 owner's manual.
Most Craftsman walk-behind mowers list the model number on a product label; check these common spots:
- Rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Behind the rear wheels on the deck housing
- On the handle support area (varies by build)
- Inside the rear door area (bagging models)
Both formats refer to the same mower model; the dot is a formatting difference.
| How it may appear | What it means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 917.378931 | Same model number | Reading the model tag, matching the manual |
| 917378931 | Same model number | Parts lookup, online search, ordering parts |
Using the exact model number helps us match the correct Craftsman parts diagrams and hardware for your mower, including items like the husqvarna lawn mower 21-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532189028 and drive components.
- Ensures the right blade, belt, and wheel parts fit your deck
- Helps match the correct engine listing and tune-up parts
- Prevents ordering look-alike parts for a close model
Last updated: January 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On your Craftsman gas walk-behind mower, the model number is on the mower’s ID label and is also printed on the cover of the documentation; for this unit it’s 917.378931. Use the model number when ordering parts like a blade, drive belt, or grass bag.
Check these common spots first (wipe off grass and dirt so the label is readable):
- Rear of the mower deck near the discharge opening
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Back of the deck near the rear wheels
- Handle support area (lower handle brackets)
- Under the rear door area (bagging models)
For parts lookup on Sears PartsDirect, use the mower model number (not the engine’s stamped numbers).
| What you’re looking at | What it’s used for | Example for this mower |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number | Ordering Craftsman mower parts and diagrams | 917.378931 |
| Engine model/type/code | Ordering engine-specific parts (carburetor, ignition parts) | Varies by engine |
- Match the mower model number exactly: 917.378931
- If the label is worn, confirm using the model number shown in the 917.378931 owner's manual
- When replacing wear items, compare the part description to your mower’s diagram (blade, belt, wheel, height adjuster)
Craftsman walk-behind mowers often share similar decks and handles across multiple models; the exact model number ensures you get the correct fit for parts like the drive system, wheel adjusters, and cutting blade.
Last updated: January 2026
