Owner’s manual
Should I use 87 or 89 gas for lawn mower?
For the Craftsman 247377440 gas walk-behind mower, we recommend using fresh 87-octane unleaded gasoline for normal operation; moving up to 89 octane is fine but usually does not improve performance unless your engine is knocking or pinging. For fuel and storage details specific to your mower, follow the 247377440 owner's manual.
What to use (and what to avoid)
- Use fresh, clean unleaded gasoline (87 octane is the standard choice).
- Use 89 octane if you hear knocking/pinging under load or in high heat.
- Avoid old gas (more than about 30 days without stabilizer).
- Avoid high-ethanol blends when possible; ethanol attracts moisture and can cause hard starting.
- Do not mix oil into the gas unless your mower is a 2-cycle engine (most walk-behind mowers are 4-cycle).
Quick comparison
| Fuel choice | When it makes sense | What you’ll notice |
|---|---|---|
| 87 octane (regular) | Most mowing conditions | Normal power and starting |
| 89 octane (mid-grade) | If knocking/pinging occurs | Smoother running if knock was present |
| Higher octane (91+) | Rarely needed | Usually no added benefit |
If your mower knocks, surges, or won’t start
Try these steps in order:
- Drain or dilute old fuel with fresh gas.
- Check the air filter and spark plug condition.
- If equipped, confirm the choke and throttle controls move freely.
- If the mower still struggles, follow the lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video fuel ignition and compression.
Why it matters
Using the right fuel helps prevent hard starting, rough running, and carburetor varnish. In small air-cooled engines, fresh fuel and good storage habits typically matter more than stepping up from 87 to 89 octane.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman walk-behind mower model 247377440 usually fall into a few buckets: starting issues, poor cut quality, drive (self-propel) problems, and grass handling problems (clumping or blowout). We use the maintenance schedule and adjustments in the 247377440 owner's manual to narrow the cause fast and avoid replacing good parts.
Most common symptoms and what they usually mean
- Won’t start or starts then dies: stale fuel, dirty air filter, fouled spark plug, or carburetor varnish
- Hard to pull starter rope: blade or crankshaft obstruction, seized blade adapter, or debris packed under the deck
- Mower won’t move (self-propel): worn or loose drive belt, stretched drive cable, or transmission wear
- Uneven cut or scalping: dull/bent blade, wrong height setting, or deck packed with wet grass
- Poor bagging or clumping: clogged deck, torn bag, or missing/incorrect rear discharge components
Quick checks we recommend before buying parts
- Disconnect the spark plug wire and tip the mower safely (air filter side up is typical).
- Clear packed grass from the underside of the deck and around the blade.
- Check the drive control for proper tension and cable movement.
- Inspect the bagging path for tears, gaps, or missing hardware.
- Confirm fasteners are tight on wheels, handle, and rear discharge area.
Parts that commonly solve these problems on model 247377440
| Problem area | What to inspect | Example part for this model |
|---|---|---|
| Bagging/clippings | Bag tears, poor airflow | Lawn mower grass bag 964-04154 |
| Self-propel drive | Belt wear, glazing, stretching | Lawn & garden equipment belt (part number 954-04260) |
| Wheels/traction | Worn tread, wobble | MTD lawn mower wheel (part number 634-05040 or 634-05062) |
Why it matters
Most “big” mower complaints are caused by basic maintenance or a single wear item. Fixing the root cause (fuel quality, blade condition, belt tension, and deck cleanliness) restores starting reliability, improves cut quality, and prevents premature wear on the transmission and wheels.
For step-by-step blade and deck care, we also follow guidance like how to sharpen a lawn mower blade when cut quality is the main complaint.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is a Craftsman 247377440 lawn mower?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind lawn mower is 247377440. You’ll use 247377440 to match the correct diagrams, maintenance instructions, and replacement parts (such as wheels, drive components, and bagging parts) for your exact mower.
Where to find the model number on the mower
On most Craftsman walk-behind mowers, the model number is printed on a label or tag on the mower body. Check these common spots:
- Rear of the deck near the discharge opening or rear door
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Behind the engine, near the recoil starter housing
- On the handle bracket area (near where the handle bolts to the deck)
- Near the rear wheels on the deck housing
For label location details and how the number is formatted, use the 247377440 owner's manual.
Use the full model number (why it matters)
Craftsman model numbers that look similar can use different belts, wheels, or control cables. Using the full model number helps prevent ordering the wrong part.
| What you’re doing | What to use | Example for this mower |
|---|---|---|
| Looking up diagrams and parts | Model number | 247377440 |
| Ordering a specific replacement | Part number (and sometimes part ID) | 954-04260 (belt) |
| Confirming fit across revisions | Model number plus part number | 247377440 + 946-04655A |
Quick parts examples for model 247377440
These are common items customers replace on this mower (match by model number first, then part number):
- Lawn & garden equipment belt 954-04260
- Lawn mower drive control cable 946-04655A
- MTD lawn mower wheel 634-05040 or 634-05062 (position can vary)
- Lawn mower grass bag 964-04154
Why it matters
Using the correct model number keeps repairs straightforward and avoids fit issues, especially on drive systems (belt, transmission, control cable) where small design changes can affect compatibility.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 247377440?
The model number 247377440 does not contain the manufacturing year. For Craftsman walk-behind mowers, the year is typically determined from the engine date code or the product serial number/date label, not from the model number itself. Use the Craftsman 247377440 owner's manual to locate the identification label.
How to find the year on a Craftsman walk-behind mower
Check these common locations on a Craftsman mower like model 247377440:
- Mower deck: look on top of the deck near the rear discharge area or wheel height adjusters
- Rear of the deck: near the rear skirt area
- Handle support area: around the lower handle mounting points
- Engine shroud: engine model/type and a separate engine date code (varies by engine brand)
- Under the grass bag area: sometimes near the bag opening or frame mounts
What numbers to use (and what not to use)
Use the table below to avoid mixing up IDs.
| Number you see | What it tells you | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Model number (247377440) | Identifies the mower design | Finding diagrams and parts |
| Serial number/date label | Often includes build date info | Determining mower year |
| Engine model and code | Identifies engine and its build date | Determining engine year |
Quick tips to decode the date once you find it
Once you locate the serial number or engine code, these steps keep you on track:
- Write down the full string exactly as shown (letters and numbers)
- Look for a date format (often MM/DD/YY, YYMMDD, or a coded format by engine maker)
- If the mower has electric start, check the battery area for additional labels
- Match the engine brand’s code format before assuming month/day order
Why it matters
The correct year helps us match the right parts and diagrams for your Craftsman walk-behind mower, especially for items that change by production run (drive belt routing, wheels, handle hardware, and bagging components).
Last updated: February 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On a Craftsman walk-behind mower, the model number is on the mower’s main deck or rear housing on a printed ID label (not on the engine). For your mower, look for the 247377440 label and match it to the parts list in the 247377440 owner's manual.
Where to look on a walk-behind mower
Check these common label locations first (wipe off grass and dirt so you can read it):
- Top of the mower deck, near the engine mounting area
- Rear of the deck, near the discharge opening or rear door
- Back panel/rear skirt area (behind the bagging door on bagging models)
- Near the height adjuster or wheel bracket area
- On the handle mount area where the lower handle attaches
Model number vs. engine numbers (important)
Many Craftsman mowers have two sets of IDs. Use the right one depending on what you’re replacing.
| What you’re fixing | Number to use | Where it’s found |
|---|---|---|
| Mower parts (deck, wheels, bag, drive system) | Mower model number: 247377440 | On the mower deck/housing label |
| Engine parts (carburetor, ignition, recoil starter) | Engine model/type/code | Stamped/printed on the engine |
Why it matters
The mower model number (247377440) ties to the correct Craftsman parts diagrams for items like the drive belt, wheels, and bagging components. Using an engine number for mower parts often leads to mismatched fit and mounting holes.
Quick tip if the label is missing or unreadable
- Look for a stamped number on the deck lip or rear panel
- Check under the rear door area where labels are protected
- Compare your mower’s features (drive control, bagging setup, wheel size) to the diagrams in the 247377440 owner's manual
Last updated: February 2026
