Craftsman 917370700 lawn mower Parts

The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind gas lawn mower is 917.370700 (often written without the dot as 917370700). You’ll see it printed on the mower’s model tag and on the cover page of the 917370700 owner's manual.

Where to find the model number on the mower

Check these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:

• On the rear of the deck near the discharge area
• On the side of the deck near a rear wheel
• Near the handle mounting brackets
• On a sticker or metal plate that also lists engine details

How to use the model number when ordering parts

Using the exact model number helps us match the correct diagrams and parts list for your mower.

• Enter the model as 917370700 (no dot) in search fields
• Match the full model exactly; do not use partial numbers
• Use the parts diagram key number to confirm the correct part
• If a part varies by serial range, verify the serial on the same tag

Example parts tied to model 917370700

What you’re replacing	Example part name	Part ID
Drive belt (self-propel)	Lawn Mower Ground Drive Belt, 3/8 X 35-3/8-in	532421527
Wheel dust cover	Lawn Mower Wheel Dust Cover	581840401
Throttle control	Lawn Mower Throttle Control Assembly	580324801

Why it matters

Craftsman model numbers can look similar across different mower builds. Using 917370700 ensures you get the right drive system parts (belt, transaxle, drive control bar) and deck-related parts that fit your exact 22-inch rear-discharge configuration.

Last updated: January 2026

A gas walk-behind lawn mower typically lasts 8 to 10 years with normal homeowner use. With consistent maintenance (oil changes, clean deck, proper storage), many Craftsman mowers like model 917370700 reach 10 to 15 years of service.

What most affects mower lifespan

• Oil maintenance: change engine oil about every 25 hours of operation or at least once per year
• Airflow and cooling: keep the engine area clear; a clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life
• Deck cleaning: scrape built-up grass from the underside after each use
• Fuel quality and storage: avoid stale fuel; store safely and let the engine cool before covering
• Wear parts and fasteners: keep nuts, bolts, screws, and pins tight; replace worn parts promptly

Maintenance schedule that extends life (based on the manual)

Use this as a simple baseline; details and specs are in the 917370700 owner’s manual.

Task	When to do it	Why it matters
Check oil level	Before starting; after each 5 hours of continuous use	Prevents engine damage from running low on oil
Change engine oil	Every 25 hours or yearly	Reduces wear and heat buildup
Replace spark plug	Each season or every 100 hours	Helps reliable starting and smooth running
Clean underside of deck	After each use	Prevents corrosion and poor cutting
Clean under drive cover	At least twice per season	Helps self-propel drive work correctly

Quick signs you are near end-of-life

• Engine loses power even after tune-up basics (fresh fuel, new spark plug, clean air filter)
• Excessive vibration that persists after blade and hardware checks
• Self-propel drive slips or will not pull consistently (belt, pulley, transaxle wear)
• Repeated starting problems across multiple seasons

Why it matters

A mower that is maintained on schedule cuts cleaner, starts easier, and avoids the most expensive failures (engine damage from low oil, overheating from debris buildup, and rust from poor storage).

Last updated: January 2026

For Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917370700, the serial number is printed on a decal on the rear of the mower housing. Once you have that serial number, you can determine the mower’s age by decoding the date information embedded in the serial format used for that production run; the 917370700 owner's manual shows where to find the decal.

Where to find the serial number on model 917370700

Look for the model and serial decal in this area:

• Rear of the lawn mower housing (back of the deck)
• Near the discharge opening area (on the deck, not the handle)
• On a flat, easy-to-read section of the metal housing
• Wipe off grass and dirt so every digit is readable

Quick tip

Write down both the serial number and your purchase date; the manual provides spaces for both, which helps when ordering Craftsman parts like a drive belt, wheel, or control components.

How serial number “age lookup” typically works

Most mower serial numbers include a build date code, but the exact pattern varies by manufacturer and sometimes by factory.

• Some formats use a date block (often month, day, year)
• Some use a year digit plus additional plant or line codes
• Some use a week-of-year code instead of a month/day
• Engine serial numbers (Briggs and Stratton, etc.) can use a different date code than the mower’s serial decal

What to do if you are trying to date the mower vs. the engine

Use this checklist to avoid mixing codes:

• Use the mower housing decal to date the mower itself
• Use the engine model/type/code to date the engine (if needed)
• If the mower deck decal is missing, check for evidence of replacement parts or repainting

You are dating	Best identifier to use	Where to look
Mower (Craftsman 917370700)	Mower serial number	Rear of mower housing decal
Engine	Engine code/serial	Stamped/printed on engine shroud

Why it matters

Knowing the build date helps you match the correct parts diagrams and avoid ordering the wrong drive system or hardware. For example, if you are servicing the self-propel system, the correct lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 35-3/8-in 532421527 depends on the exact configuration used on your mower.

Last updated: January 2026

For a Craftsman walk-behind mower like model 917370700, it’s cheaper to repair when the problem is routine maintenance or a small wear part (blade, belt, cable, filter, spark plug). Replace the mower when the repair is major (engine or drive system) or repeated repairs add up fast.

A simple cost rule we use

• Repair when the fix is typically under $100 to $200 and the mower is otherwise in good shape.
• Replace when the repair estimate is around 50% or more of the cost of a comparable new mower.
• Replace when you have major drive issues (transaxle, repeated belt failures from worn pulleys) or engine problems (low compression, heavy smoking).

Quick checks that often make repair the better choice

The 917370700 manual points to common, fixable causes like raising cutting height, cleaning the underside of the deck, replacing a worn blade, and addressing drive belt or drive cable issues. Use the 917370700 owner's manual to match symptoms to the troubleshooting chart.

• If it’s hard to push, raise cutting height and check for deck buildup.
• If it cuts poorly, sharpen or replace the blade and clean under the deck.
• If it loses drive or slows, inspect the drive belt routing and condition.
• If the drive wheels don’t turn freely, clean debris from the wheel area.
• If it runs rough, plan on annual spark plug and air filter service.

Parts that usually make sense to replace (vs. replacing the mower)

Symptom	Common repair	Example part for this model
Self-propel slows or slips	Replace worn drive belt	Lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 35-3/8-in 532421527
Drive feels inconsistent	Clean/inspect drive wheel components	Drive pawl 532404845
Speed control feels off	Inspect/replace throttle linkage/control	Lawn mower throttle control assembly 580324801

Why it matters

A well-maintained mower lasts longer and costs less per season. The manual’s maintenance schedule (air filter service, spark plug replacement, blade care, and cleaning under the deck) prevents the “big” failures that push you toward replacement.

Last updated: January 2026