Owner’s manual
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How old is my mower by serial number?
For a Craftsman walk-behind mower model 247374300, the mower’s age is determined by the manufacture date encoded in the product serial number label or, in many cases, by the engine date code. Use the date format shown in the 247374300 owner's manual to match the serial number style on your mower.
Where to find the serial number (and what to write down)
Look for a sticker or stamped tag on the mower; we recommend recording both the model number and serial number exactly as shown.
- Rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- Top of the deck behind the engine
- On the handle bracket or height adjuster area
- Under the rear door or near the grass bag mount
- On the engine shroud (engine model and code numbers)
How to decode the date from the serial number
Craftsman walk-behind mowers are commonly built by MTD; many MTD-built products use a serial number that includes a year indicator plus additional digits for production sequence.
Use this quick approach:
- Find any obvious date block (6 digits) that looks like MMDDYY or YYMMDD
- If the serial number is longer and not clearly a date, look for a single digit that represents the year (often the last digit of the year) and then use the surrounding digits as a clue for the production run
- If the mower label is unreadable, use the engine code date as the best indicator of the mower’s build timeframe
Serial number vs. engine code: which date is “right”?
| What you decode | What it tells you | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Mower serial number date | When the mower was built/assembled | Best for mower age |
| Engine code date | When the engine was manufactured | Best when mower tag is missing |
Why it matters
Knowing the build year helps us match the correct blade, control cable, and deck parts for your Craftsman 247374300. It also helps when you are choosing maintenance items like a mulching blade or troubleshooting starting and drive issues.
Related DIY help
If you are servicing the mower while you have the model and serial information handy, these guides are often useful:
- How to tune up a lawn mower video
- How to keep lawn mower gas from going bad
- Lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video spark plug and ignition
Last updated: February 2026
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lawn mower?
Repair is cheaper for a Craftsman walk-behind mower like model 247374300 when the problem is routine maintenance or a small part replacement; replacement makes more sense when a major engine or drive repair costs about half (or more) of what a comparable new mower costs.
A practical cost rule we use
- Repair when the fix is typically under $100 to $200 (blade service, cable adjustment, wheel, bagging parts).
- Replace when a single repair is 50% or more of the mower’s replacement value, especially if multiple issues are stacking up.
- Repair when the deck and handle structure are solid and the mower starts and runs consistently.
- Replace when the mower has repeated no-start, heavy smoke, low compression symptoms, or chronic drive problems.
Quick checklist: repair vs replace
- Repair if the mower:
- Starts reliably and runs smoothly after basic tune-up steps
- Needs wear items like a blade, wheel, cable, or bagging component
- Has a solid deck with no major rust-through or cracking
- Replace if the mower:
- Needs major engine work (internal damage) or extensive drive system repairs
- Has a damaged deck housing that is unsafe or no longer holds alignment
- Requires frequent repairs season after season
Common repairs that are usually worth it
| Issue | Typical fix | Usually worth repairing? |
|---|---|---|
| Poor cut quality | Sharpen/replace blade, clean deck | Yes |
| Bagging problems | Replace bag or frame parts | Yes |
| Hard to control | Adjust/replace control cable | Often |
| Vibration | Inspect blade and adapter | Often |
For this model, bagging and cutting components are common, straightforward repairs; examples include the Lawn Mower Grass Bag (part number 964-04154) and the 21-in Deck Mulching Blade (part number 942-0741A).
Why it matters
A well-timed repair keeps your Craftsman 247374300 mowing safely and cleanly for far less than the cost of a new mower; replacing too early often costs more than fixing a single worn part, while replacing too late can mean paying for repeated breakdowns.
Helpful references
- Use the 247374300 owner’s manual for maintenance intervals, blade service guidance, and safety steps.
- For blade service technique, follow how to sharpen a lawn mower blade.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 247374300 gas walk-behind mower are no-start or hard-start conditions, rough running, poor cutting quality, and bagging or discharge clogs. We focus first on fuel quality, ignition, airflow, and blade and deck condition because those cause most day-to-day failures.
Most common symptoms and likely causes
- Won’t start / starts then dies: stale fuel, dirty carburetor, fouled spark plug, clogged air filter
- Runs rough / surges: restricted fuel flow, dirty carburetor jets, partially clogged air filter
- Cuts uneven or leaves strips: dull or bent blade, blade adapter wear, deck packed with grass
- Vibrates excessively: blade damage, loose fasteners, blade adapter issues
- Poor bagging or side discharge: wet grass, clogged chute, damaged bag or frame
Quick checks we recommend (10 minutes)
- Use fresh gasoline; drain old fuel if it smells sour or looks dark.
- Inspect and clean/replace the air filter (a dirty filter can mimic fuel problems).
- Check the spark plug condition and gap; replace if fouled.
- Tip the mower only with the air filter and carburetor side up to avoid flooding.
- Inspect the blade and underside of the deck for packed clippings.
Parts that commonly affect performance on this model
| Problem area | What to inspect | Model-matched example |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting quality | Blade and mounting | Craftsman troybilt lawn mower 21-in deck mulching blade 942-0741A |
| Blade mounting | Adapter wear or rounding | Mtd lawn mower blade adapter 748-0376E |
| Bagging | Torn bag or poor airflow | Lawn mower grass bag 964-04154 |
| Discharge control | Chute not opening/closing | Mtd lawn mower side chute deflector 731-07486 |
Why it matters
Most “mower problems” trace back to basic maintenance. Fresh fuel, clean airflow, and a sharp, properly mounted blade protect the engine, improve cut quality, and reduce vibration that can damage the deck and hardware.
Helpful DIY guides
- How to sharpen a lawn mower blade
- Lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video fuel ignition and compression
For model-specific operating and maintenance intervals, follow the 247374300 owner’s manual.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 247374300?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind lawn mower is 247374300. You will use 247374300 to match the correct parts (like the blade, deck, or grass bag) and to pull the right diagrams and maintenance instructions from the 247374300 owner’s manual.
Where to find the model number on the mower
Most Craftsman walk-behind mowers place the model and serial tag in one of these spots:
- On the rear of the deck housing near the discharge opening
- On the top of the deck, behind the engine
- On the back shield or rear skirt area
- Near the height adjuster bracket on the deck
- On the handle mounting area (lower handle brackets)
Why the exact model number matters
Craftsman model families can look similar, but parts can vary by deck style, bagging setup, and handle hardware. Using 247374300 helps ensure you get the correct fit for common replacements such as:
- Grass bag (bag and frame style)
- Side chute deflector
- Mulching blade and blade adapter
- Wheels and axle assemblies
- Control cables and handle knobs
Quick ID checklist (what to match)
Use this checklist when ordering parts or looking up diagrams.
| Item to match | What to look for | Example on this mower |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | Exact digits/letters | 247374300 |
| Product type | Walk-behind mower | Gas lawn mower |
| Brand | Name on the shroud/handle | Craftsman |
| Deck size | Stamped/printed size | Often 21-in on many models |
Related parts you may need
If you are replacing bagging or cutting components, these model-matched parts are commonly used:
- Lawn mower grass bag 964-04154
- Craftsman troybilt lawn mower 21-in deck mulching blade 942-0741A
- Mtd lawn mower blade adapter 748-0376E
Why it matters
A single digit difference can change the blade adapter, wheel size, or bagging hardware. Confirming 247374300 first prevents wrong-part returns and gets your mower back to cutting cleanly.
Last updated: February 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On a Craftsman walk-behind mower, the model number is printed on the mower’s model-and-serial label, typically on the rear of the deck near the discharge opening or on the back of the handle mounting area. For this mower, use model 247374300 when ordering non-engine parts.
Where to look on model 247374300
Check these common label locations first (wipe off grass and dirt so the numbers are readable):
- Rear of the mower deck, above or near the rear wheels
- Back edge of the deck near the bagging opening (rear discharge area)
- Left or right side of the deck, close to the height adjuster
- Handle mounting brackets where the lower handle bolts to the deck
- Under the rear flap or near the rear skirt area
For diagrams and the exact identification guidance for your unit, use the 247374300 owner's manual.
What number you need (and why)
Many Craftsman mowers have two different identifiers:
| What you’re identifying | What to use | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mower (chassis, deck, wheels, bag, handle) | Model number (example: 247374300) | Matches the correct walk-behind mower parts list |
| Engine (carburetor, air filter, ignition parts) | Engine model/type/code (on the engine) | Engine parts are matched to the engine, not the mower |
Tips to read the label correctly
- Copy the full model number exactly as printed (all digits).
- Also record the serial number; it can help confirm production range.
- If the label is damaged, look for a stamped number on the deck nearby.
- Take a clear photo before ordering parts.
Why it matters
Using the correct model number prevents ordering parts that do not fit your deck size, handle style, or bagging setup. For example, the grass collection components for this mower are matched to the 247374300 chassis, such as the lawn mower grass bag 964-04154.
Last updated: February 2026
