Owner’s manual
Should I use 87 or 89 gas for lawn mower?
For the Craftsman 917378060 walk-behind mower, use fresh, clean regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane; 89 octane is not required for normal operation. We also recommend buying only enough fuel to use within 30 days to keep it from going stale (see the owner's manual).
What fuel to use (and what to avoid)
- Use regular unleaded gas, 87 octane minimum.
- Do not mix oil with gasoline.
- Avoid fuel with more than 10% ethanol; higher ethanol blends can cause storage and fuel-system issues.
- Use fresh fuel; don’t store gas in the mower for long periods.
- If the mower will sit 30 days or longer, run it dry or drain the tank per the storage steps in the manual.
Quick comparison: 87 vs 89 for this mower
| Fuel choice | Works in Craftsman 917378060? | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| 87 octane (regular) | Yes (recommended) | Everyday mowing, best match for the manual’s spec |
| 89 octane (mid-grade) | Yes | Only if it’s the freshest fuel available; it won’t add power by itself |
Why it matters
Using the correct octane and keeping fuel fresh helps prevent hard starting, rough running, and carburetor varnish. Fuel quality issues are one of the most common causes of “won’t start” and “runs poorly” complaints on walk-behind mowers.
Related maintenance tip
If you’re doing seasonal upkeep, a tune-up kit can help restore starting and performance. For this model, we commonly see owners use the briggs & statton tune-up kit 5140B when it matches their engine.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 917378060 gas walk-behind mower are no-start conditions (stale fuel, dirty air filter, bad spark plug, disconnected plug wire), loss of power, and poor or uneven cutting caused by grass buildup under the deck or a worn/loose blade or blade adapter. See the owner's manual troubleshooting chart for the quickest checks.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Engine will not start: dirty air filter, out of fuel, stale fuel, water in fuel, spark plug wire off, bad spark plug, or the control bar not held down
- Loss of power: cutting too much grass at once, dirty air filter, grass and debris packed under the mower deck, too much oil in the engine
- Poor or uneven cut: worn/bent/loose blade, uneven wheel height settings, debris buildup under the deck
- Drive issues (self-propelled): worn drive belt, worn gears, or a drive control problem
Quick checks we recommend (fast, low-cost)
- Fuel: drain old gas and refill with fresh gasoline if it has been sitting.
- Air filter: clean or replace if dirty.
- Spark plug and wire: confirm the wire is firmly seated; replace the plug if fouled.
- Deck underside: tip the mower safely and clear packed grass and leaves.
- Blade hardware: check for a loose blade bolt and inspect the blade adapter.
Parts that commonly fix these problems
If inspection shows wear or damage, these model-matched parts are common solutions:
| Problem you see | Part that often resolves it | Example from this model’s parts list |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven cut, vibration, torn grass tips | Replace the blade | Lawn mower blade 532406713 |
| Blade feels loose or won’t stay tight | Replace blade adapter | Lawn mower blade adapter 581547901 |
| Mower will not move or slips under load | Replace drive belt | Belt 532157769 |
| Drive engagement feels inconsistent | Inspect/replace drive control | Control 532184588 |
Why it matters
Most “won’t start” and “cuts poorly” complaints come from basic maintenance items (fuel quality, airflow, and deck cleanliness). Fixing those first prevents repeat failures and reduces strain on the engine, blade adapter, and drive system.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917378060?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind gas lawn mower is 917.378060 (often written without the dot as 917378060). You can confirm it on the model tag and in the owner's manual, where it’s listed as “Model No. 917.378060.”
Where to find the model number on the mower
We recommend checking these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:
- On the rear of the mower deck near the discharge area
- On the deck housing close to the engine mounting area
- Near the height adjuster brackets or wheel area
- In the paperwork that came with the mower (manual and parts list)
Why the dot matters (917.378060 vs 917378060)
Both formats refer to the same mower; the dot is just a formatting style used in some manuals and parts diagrams.
| You might see it as | What it means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 917.378060 | Same model number with punctuation | Owner’s manual, diagrams |
| 917378060 | Same model number without punctuation | Parts lookup, ordering |
Why it matters for parts and repairs
Using the exact model number ensures you get the right parts for your mower’s specific configuration (deck, drive system, and controls). For example, this model’s parts list includes items like the lawn mower blade 532406713 and the belt 532157769, which must match your mower’s build.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 917378060?
Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917378060 does not use the model number itself to indicate the manufacturing year. To identify the year, we use the product’s date code/serial information shown on the mower’s ID label, then confirm details against the owner's manual.
Where to find the year information
Look for the mower’s identification label, then record the date code or serial details.
- Check the rear of the deck near the discharge area
- Check the handle mounting area (left or right side)
- Check near the engine mounting plate on the deck
- Wipe the label clean; grass and oil can hide the code
- Write down the full model and any serial/date code exactly as shown
How to decode the date code (what to look for)
Many Craftsman walk-behind mowers have a separate date code on the ID label. The code format varies by production run, so the most reliable method is to match what you see on the label to the identification section in the owner's manual.
| What you have | What it tells you | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Model number (917378060) | Identifies the mower design | Use it to pull the correct parts list and manual |
| Serial/date code on the label | Indicates build date (year) | Decode it using the manual’s ID guidance |
| Engine model/type/code (on Briggs & Stratton tag) | Often includes an engine build date | Use it as a cross-check against the mower label |
Why it matters
The correct year (and production run) affects parts fit, especially for wear items like the blade, drive belt, and control cables. For this model, common replacement parts include the lawn mower blade 532406713 and the belt 532157769.
Last updated: February 2026
