Owner’s manual
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What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 917376070 gas walk-behind mower are no-start conditions (stale fuel, dirty air filter, bad spark plug, disconnected plug wire), loss of power from airflow or deck buildup, and vibration or poor cutting from a worn, bent, or loose blade. Use the 917376070 owner's manual troubleshooting chart to match symptoms to the fastest checks.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Does not start: out of fuel, stale fuel, water in fuel, dirty air filter, spark plug wire off, bad spark plug, control bar not held to the handle
- Loss of power: cutting too much grass at once, dirty air filter, grass and debris buildup under the deck, walking speed too fast
- Poor cut (uneven): worn or bent blade, blade loose, wheel height set unevenly, deck packed with clippings
- Excessive vibration: blade damage, loose blade hardware, blade adapter issues, bent crankshaft after an impact
- Starter rope hard to pull: blade dragging in grass, cutting height too low, debris under deck, flywheel brake behavior when the control bar is released
Quick checks we recommend (in order)
- Fuel: drain stale gas and refill with fresh gasoline; check for water contamination.
- Airflow: clean or replace the air filter.
- Ignition: confirm the spark plug wire is firmly connected; replace the spark plug if fouled.
- Safety/control: hold the control bar tight to the handle while starting.
- Blade and deck: tip the mower safely and clear packed grass; inspect the blade for bends or heavy nicks.
Parts that commonly wear on this model
| What you notice | Likely wear item | Example part for 917376070 |
|---|---|---|
| Rough cut, vibration, scalping | Blade damage or wear | Lawn mower blade 532406713 |
| Self-propel slows or slips | Ground drive belt wear | Poulan lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 33-3/16-in 532196857 |
| Side discharge door won’t close or flops | Chute/door wear | Lawn mower discharge chute door assembly 532193679 |
Why it matters
Catching fuel, airflow, and blade issues early prevents hard starting, reduces engine strain, and helps avoid impact damage (like crankshaft problems) that can happen after hitting rocks, roots, or curbs.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917376070?
The model number is 917.376070; on Sears PartsDirect we list it as Craftsman 917376070 for this gas walk-behind rotary lawn mower. You can confirm the exact model number on the product ID label and in the 917376070 owner's manual.
Where to find the model number on the mower
We recommend checking these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:
- On the rear of the mower deck near the discharge opening
- On the top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Near the handle bracket area (left or right side)
- In the owner documentation that came with the mower
Quick model number format tips
On this mower, you may see the model written with or without a dot. Both identify the same unit.
| How it may appear | What it means |
|---|---|
| 917.376070 | Printed format used in the manual and on some labels |
| 917376070 | Common online format used for parts lookup |
Why it matters
Using the exact model number ensures you get the right Craftsman lawn mower parts (for example, the correct blade, drive belt, or drive control components) and helps match the correct diagrams and maintenance instructions.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 917376070?
Craftsman model 917376070 is identified in the documentation as a Craftsman rotary lawn mower model number, but the year of manufacture is not encoded in the model number itself. To date the mower, we use the engine date code or the product ID/serial information listed in the 917376070 owner's manual.
How to find the year on your mower
We recommend checking these locations, in this order:
- Engine shroud label (often has a date code or build code)
- Mower deck tag (model and serial/product number tag)
- Handle frame label (sometimes includes a product number)
- Receipt or service record (purchase date is often the most practical “year” reference)
What the model number does (and does not) tell you
Model 917376070 tells us the mower family and configuration (for example, it is a 22-inch, power-propelled rotary mower per the manual), but it does not reliably translate to a calendar year.
| Identifier you find | What it’s used for | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Model number (917376070) | Parts lookup and diagrams | Series/configuration |
| Serial/product number | Manufacturing tracking | Often narrows the build period |
| Engine date code | Engine build date | Best clue to mower build timeframe |
Why it matters
Getting the correct year (or build range) helps us match the right blade, drive parts, and hardware for your exact configuration, especially on Craftsman walk-behind mowers where similar models can use different drive systems and fasteners.
If you are servicing the drive system, the manual parts list also calls out common wear items such as the V-belt and drive components; for example, the poulan lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 33-3/16-in 532196857 is listed for this model.
Last updated: February 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On the Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917376070, the model number is shown on the mower’s model tag (identification label) and it’s also printed on the cover pages of the 917376070 owner’s manual. Use the model tag number when ordering parts or looking up diagrams.
Where to find the model tag on the mower
On most Craftsman walk-behind mowers, the model tag is attached to the mower deck, not the handle or grass bag. Check these common locations:
- Rear of the deck near the back wheels
- Side of the deck near the discharge opening
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Near the height adjuster bracket area
- Under heavy grass buildup; clean the deck surface to reveal the label
What to write down
Record the full model number exactly as it appears on the tag so we can match the correct OEM parts.
- Model number: 917376070
- Any additional numbers on the tag (often a product number or serial number)
- Engine model/type/code (often on the engine itself, not the mower deck)
| Number you find | What it’s used for |
|---|---|
| Mower model number (917376070) | Parts diagrams and mower-specific parts |
| Engine model/type/code | Engine parts like spark plug, air filter, carburetor |
Why it matters
The model number is the fastest way to pull the correct Craftsman parts list and avoid ordering the wrong items, especially for fit-critical parts like a blade, drive belt, or drive control components.
Last updated: February 2026
