How to find Craftsman mower model number?
For your Craftsman gas walk-behind mower, the model number is on the mower’s ID label (not the engine label). On model 917377120, it’s typically on the rear of the deck near the wheels, on the deck top surface near the handle mounts, or on the frame behind the engine; confirm the exact location in the owner's manual.
Where to look on a walk-behind mower
Check these common label locations first (wipe dirt and grass off the deck so you can read it):
- Rear of the mower deck, near the back wheels
- Top of the deck near the handle brackets or height adjusters
- Frame area behind or beside the engine
- Under the rear flap or near the bagging or discharge opening
- On the handle support tube (less common)
What number you need (and why)
Walk-behind mowers often have more than one ID number. For ordering the correct Craftsman parts, we use the mower model number.
| Label type | What it identifies | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number (example: 917377120) | The mower chassis and drive system | Parts like wheels, cables, pulleys, chute, bagging parts |
| Engine model/type/code | The engine itself | Engine-specific parts like carburetor, ignition, air filter |
Tips to read the label correctly
- Write the model number exactly as shown, including any leading zeros.
- Also note the product number if it’s listed; it can help narrow down variations.
- If the label is faded, take a close-up photo in bright light and zoom in.
Why it matters
The model number ties your mower to the correct illustrated parts list. That prevents ordering the wrong drive components (like a control lever or pulley) that may look similar but fit differently.
If you’re ready to shop, you can order parts for model 917377120 from the parts list for this mower, or search by model on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Should I use 87 or 91 gas for lawn mower?
For the Craftsman gas walk-behind lawn mower model 917377120, we recommend using 87-octane (regular) unleaded gasoline for normal operation; higher octane (91) does not add power or improve reliability in a properly running mower. For fuel and storage details specific to your mower, follow the guidance in the 917377120 owner's manual.
What to use (and what to avoid)
- Use: Fresh 87-octane unleaded gas.
- Avoid: Old gas (more than about 30 days without stabilizer), which is a top cause of hard starting.
- Avoid: Overfilling the tank; leave a little expansion space.
- Avoid: Mixing octane grades to “fix” rough running; address the fuel system or ignition instead.
- Use stabilizer for storage: Especially before winter or any multi-week downtime.
Why 91 octane usually is not better
Octane is mainly about preventing knock in high-compression engines. Most walk-behind mower engines are designed to run correctly on regular fuel, so 91 octane typically provides no performance benefit.
Quick comparison
| Fuel choice | Best for | What you will notice |
|---|---|---|
| 87 octane (regular) | Everyday mowing | Normal power and starting when fuel is fresh |
| 91 octane (premium) | Not required for most mowers | Usually no change besides higher cost |
If your mower runs rough, do this instead
Higher octane will not correct common issues like stale fuel, restricted airflow, or ignition wear. We recommend these checks:
- Drain and replace old fuel with fresh 87-octane.
- Inspect the spark plug and replace if fouled.
- Check the air filter and clean or replace if dirty.
- Confirm the blade is not bent and the deck is not packed with wet grass.
- If the self-propel drive is acting up, inspect the drive controls and linkage; the lawn mower drive control lever 532425662 is one of the wear items on this model.
Why it matters
Using the right fuel and keeping it fresh helps prevent carburetor varnish, hard starting, surging, and stalling. That reduces downtime and helps your Craftsman 917377120 deliver consistent cut quality.
For replacement parts and maintenance items for model 917377120, order from the parts list for this mower or search by model on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is my Craftsman mower serial number lookup?
On a Craftsman mower, the year is determined by the date code format used on the serial number or ID label, but the exact pattern can vary by engine and production run. For model 917377120, use the date-code guidance in the 917377120 owner's manual and match it to the numbers on your mower’s ID tag to identify the build year.
Where to find the serial number and date code
Check these common locations on a Craftsman gas walk-behind mower:
- On the rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- On the top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- On the handle bracket or rear frame area
- On a sticker or metal tag that also lists the model number (917377120)
How to interpret the numbers (most common formats)
Craftsman mowers can use different date-code styles. These are the most common patterns we see:
- MMDDYY: month, day, year (example: 072811 = July 28, 2011)
- YYMMDD: year, month, day (example: 110728 = July 28, 2011)
- Julian date: a 3-digit day-of-year plus a year digit (example: 2091 can mean the 209th day of a year ending in 1)
- Engine-based code: some engines use their own build date separate from the mower deck tag
Quick reference table
| Code style | What it means | Example | Interprets as |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMDDYY | Month-Day-Year | 072811 | July 28, 2011 |
| YYMMDD | Year-Month-Day | 110728 | July 28, 2011 |
| Julian | Day-of-year + year digit | 2091 | 209th day of a year ending in 1 |
Why it matters
Knowing the build year helps us match the correct parts and diagrams for your Craftsman 917377120, especially for wear items like the drive system and controls. If you are replacing drive hardware, common related parts on this model include the lawn mower drive control lever 532425662 and the drive pawl 532404845.
Ordering the right parts after you identify the year
Once you confirm the date code, order by model number (917377120) first, then verify the part by description and diagram callout.
- Use the parts list for model 917377120 to match the exact component
- Replace worn fasteners when removing wheels or drive parts (example: lawn mower hex flange nut 532409149)
- If the mower will not self-propel, follow a drive-system check before buying parts
- For broader model searches and parts lookup, use Sears PartsDirect
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
On the Craftsman 917377120 gas walk-behind lawn mower, the most common problems are no-start conditions (fuel, spark, air), rough running (dirty carburetor or stale gas), and self-propelled drive issues (cable, lever, pulleys, wheel drive parts). Our 917377120 owner's manual helps confirm the correct starting and control checks.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Won’t start or starts then dies: old fuel, clogged carburetor passages, fouled spark plug, restricted air filter
- Runs rough or surges: stale gas, partially clogged carburetor, dirty air filter
- Hard to pull the starter rope: blade obstruction, debris under deck, internal engine binding after impact
- Self-propel won’t move or slips: stretched/misadjusted drive cable, worn drive pulley or idler pulley, wheel drive wear
- Poor cut or heavy vibration: bent/dull blade, loose blade adapter, debris packed under the deck
Quick checks we recommend (fast, high-impact)
- Fuel: Drain old gas and refill with fresh fuel; stale fuel is the top cause after storage.
- Air: Inspect the air filter; replace if dirty or oil-soaked.
- Spark: Check the spark plug condition and gap; replace if fouled.
- Deck and blade area: Tip the mower safely and clear packed grass; check for a loose blade adapter.
- Drive system: If the mower won’t move, inspect the drive control lever and cable for proper tension.
Drive problem cheat sheet (self-propelled)
| What you notice | Most likely area | Parts on this model that often relate |
|---|---|---|
| Engine runs but mower won’t pull | Control/cable out of adjustment | Lawn mower drive control cable 532197011, lawn mower drive control lever 532425662 |
| Moves, then slips under load | Belt/pulley/idler wear | Lawn mower drive pulley 532443262, husqvarna lawn mower idler pulley 532166043 |
| One wheel doesn’t drive well | Wheel drive hardware wear | Drive pawl 532404845, husqvarna lawn mower wheel 532192622 |
Why it matters
Catching fuel and drive issues early prevents repeat no-starts, reduces belt and pulley wear, and helps protect the crankshaft and blade adapter after impacts. It also keeps cut quality consistent and reduces vibration.
Ordering the right replacement parts
We list model-matched replacement parts for Craftsman 917377120 on this page; for broader model searches and ordering, use Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are all the parts on a lawn mower?
A gas walk-behind mower like Craftsman model 917377120 is built from a cutting system (deck and blade hardware), an engine system (fuel, air, ignition), and a drive/control system (handle, cables, wheels, and transmission parts). For your exact component layout, use the exploded views in the owner's manual.
Main lawn mower parts (grouped by system)
Engine and starting
- Fuel tank and fuel cap
- Carburetor (meters fuel into the engine)
- Air filter (keeps dirt out of the engine)
- Spark plug and ignition components
- Recoil starter (pull cord) or electric start components (if equipped)
Cutting and deck
- Mower deck (housing)
- Blade and blade mounting hardware
- Blade adapter (connects blade to the crankshaft)
- Discharge chute or clipping deflector
- Grass bag and bag frame (if bagging)
Drive and controls
- Handle and operator presence controls
- Drive control lever and drive control cable (self-propel models)
- Wheels, axle parts, and drive pawls/pinions (for traction)
- Pulleys, belts, and springs (varies by design)
Common parts you may replace on model 917377120
These are examples of parts we commonly see customers need for normal wear, damage, or drive issues:
- Lawn mower drive control lever 532425662
- Husqvarna lawn mower drive control cable 532197011
- Husqvarna lawn mower wheel 532192622
- Lawn mower blade adapter 532186766
- Lawn mower clipping deflector 583127101
Quick reference: what each part does
| Part area | What it does | Common symptom when worn/damaged |
|---|---|---|
| Air filter / carburetor | Helps the engine breathe and fuel correctly | Hard starting, surging, stalling |
| Blade / blade adapter | Cuts grass and transfers engine power to the blade | Vibration, poor cut, blade loosens |
| Drive lever / cable | Engages self-propel drive | Mower will not move or slips |
| Wheels / drive pawls | Transfers drive to the ground | One wheel spins, poor traction |
| Chute / deflector / bag | Directs clippings and supports bagging | Clippings blow back, bag won’t stay on |
Why it matters
Knowing the major assemblies helps you troubleshoot faster and order the right replacement part the first time. It also helps you spot safety-related wear, such as loose blade hardware or a damaged discharge chute.
You can order replacement parts for Craftsman 917377120 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026





