Craftsman 917378870 lawn mower Parts

For Craftsman model 917378870, the fastest way to get help identifying and ordering replacement parts is to use the parts list and diagrams for your mower, or contact Sears PartsDirect support with your model number and the part description. Details and diagrams are also in the 917378870 owner's manual.

What to have ready

Having these details speeds up parts identification and ordering:

• Model number: 917378870
• Serial number (from the mower’s ID label)
• Part description (example: wheel, belt, control cable)
• A quick symptom summary (example: “self-propel won’t engage”)
• Photos of the part area (helpful for matching)

Common parts people ask about on this mower

If you already know what area you’re working on, these are frequent requests for the 917378870:

Mower area	Common part type	Example part for this model
Self-propel drive	Ground drive belt	Lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 32-1/2-in 532175436
Operator controls	Zone control cable	Lawn mower engine zone control cable 532184588
Wheels/height adjust	Height adjuster knob	Husqvarna lawn mower height adjuster knob 532701037

Why it matters

Craftsman walk-behind mowers often use similar-looking parts across different versions. Confirming the exact model and serial helps ensure you get the correct belt, cable, blade adapter, or wheel components the first time.

Last updated: March 2026

On a Craftsman walk-behind mower like model 917378870, the model number is printed on the mower’s identification label; once you match that number, you can use it to pull the correct parts list and diagrams in the 917378870 owner's manual.

Where to look on the mower

Check these common label locations first (clean off grass and dirt so the print is readable):

• Rear of the deck near the discharge opening (rear discharge models)
• Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
• Side of the deck near a rear wheel height adjuster
• Handle support area (near where the upper handle bolts on)
• Under the rear door or near the grass bag opening

What to write down (and why)

Record the full model number exactly as shown; for Craftsman, small differences can change the blade, drive belt, wheels, and control cables.

What you see on the label	What it’s used for	Example for this mower
Model number	Finds the correct diagrams and parts	917378870
Serial number	Helps match production changes	Varies
Engine info (if listed)	Helps with engine-specific tune-up parts	Varies

Quick tips to avoid ordering the wrong part

• Copy the number character-for-character (including dots or dashes if present)
• Use the mower model number for deck, handle, and drive parts
• Use the engine model/type/code (on the engine) for engine parts like carburetor or ignition
• Compare your part visually to the diagram before ordering

Why it matters

This Craftsman mower uses model-specific assemblies (for example, the drive system and handle components). Matching 917378870 ensures you get the correct fit for items like the lawn mower ground drive belt 532175436 or lawn mower engine zone control cable 532184588.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems on the Craftsman 917378870 walk-behind mower usually fall into a few buckets: starting issues (often from flooding or ignition maintenance), loss of power from airflow or deck buildup, and drive or cutting problems from worn blade or belt components. Use the 917378870 owner's manual troubleshooting chart to match symptoms to the right fix.

Most common symptoms and what they usually mean

• Won’t start or hard starting: over-priming can flood the engine; spark plug or fuel delivery can also be involved.
• Loss of power: dirty air filter, grass and debris packed under the deck, cutting too low, or walking speed too fast.
• Starter rope hard to pull: blade dragging in grass, a damaged blade adapter, or a bent crankshaft.
• Poor bagging (grass catcher not filling): cutting height too low, worn lift on the blade, or catcher not venting.
• Hard to push: grass too high, wheel height too low, or heavy buildup under the mower.
• Loss of drive or slow self-propel: worn or stretched drive belt, worn drive gears, or linkage issues.

Quick checks we recommend before buying parts

1. Shut off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before inspecting the blade area.
2. Tip the mower safely (air filter and carburetor side up) and clean packed grass from under the deck.
3. If it won’t start, avoid repeated priming; wait a few minutes if you suspect flooding.
4. Inspect the blade and adapter for damage; a worn blade can cause vibration and poor cutting.
5. If self-propel is weak, check belt condition and drive engagement.

Parts that commonly solve these problems (when worn or damaged)

Symptom	Common wear item	Example part for model 917378870
Poor cut, vibration, stalling in heavy grass	Blade or blade adapter	21-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532189028, blade adapter 532421176
Mower won’t move or slows down	Ground drive belt	Ground drive belt, 3/8 x 32-1/2-in 532175436
Control bar issues (engine stops, won’t stay running)	Bail/control cable components	Bail control 584446801, engine zone control cable 532184588

Why it matters

Most “common problems” are maintenance-related and show up as the same few symptoms: reduced airflow, extra drag under the deck, or worn drive and blade parts. Fixing the root cause protects the engine speed settings and improves cut quality and bagging performance.

Last updated: February 2026

For Craftsman model 917378870 (a walk-behind mower), use unleaded regular gasoline; the manual lists a 1.6-quart fuel capacity. This is a 4-stroke mower engine, so you do not mix oil with the gas; engine oil is filled separately as shown in the 917378870 owner's manual.

Fuel to use (and what to avoid)

Using the right fuel helps prevent hard starting, surging, and carburetor varnish.

• Use fresh unleaded regular gasoline
• Use fuel from a clean, approved gas can
• Avoid stale fuel (especially after storage)
• Avoid 2-cycle gas/oil mix (this mower uses separate crankcase oil)
• Wipe up spills and refuel outdoors with the engine cool

Quick fuel and oil reference for model 917378870

These specs come from the mower manual.

Item	Specification
Gasoline capacity/type	1.6 quarts (unleaded regular)
Oil type (API SG-SL)	SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)
Oil capacity	20 ounces

If you accidentally used mixed gas

Correcting it right away prevents plug fouling and smoky running.

• Drain the tank and refill with fresh unleaded gasoline
• Check the oil level and condition; change oil if it smells strongly of fuel
• Inspect the blade area for safety before restarting
• If it still runs rough, follow a no-start checklist like lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video fuel ignition and compression

Why it matters

Correct fuel and separate engine oil keep the 4-stroke engine lubricated properly, reduce carbon buildup, and help the mower start and run consistently.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman model 917378870 is a model number, not a date code; it does not directly tell the year. To find the year your mower was built, use the product identification label and the date or serial information shown in the 917378870 owner's manual.

Where to find the build date on the mower

On most Craftsman walk-behind mowers, the date information is on the same label that lists the model number.

• Check the rear of the deck near the discharge opening
• Look around the engine mounting area on top of the deck
• Check the handle bracket area (near the upper/lower handle bolts)
• Wipe the label clean; grass film can hide digits
• Write down the full serial/date string exactly as shown

How to interpret what you find

Different production runs use different formats, so we recommend matching what you see to the examples in the manual.

What you have	What it tells you	What to do next
Model number (917378870)	Identifies the mower design and parts list	Use it to match parts and diagrams
Serial number only	Tracks production batch	Use the manual’s ID section to decode
Date code (month/day/year style)	Gives the build date	Convert it to a calendar date

Why it matters

Knowing the build year helps when you are matching wear items and drive components (like the ground drive belt, wheel adjusters, and control cables) because small design changes can happen across production years even within the same model family.

Related parts that commonly vary by production run

If you are ordering parts for Craftsman 917378870, confirm the exact part shown in the diagram for your configuration.

• Lawn mower engine zone control cable 532184588 (control cable assembly)
• Lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 32-1/2-in 532175436 (self-propel drive)
• Husqvarna lawn mower height adjuster knob 532701037 (cut height adjustment)
• Lawn mower wheel 582976701 (wheel and tire assembly)

Last updated: February 2026