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How to look up Craftsman model number?
For Craftsman rotary lawn mower model 917376240, the model and serial numbers are printed on a decal on the rear of the mower housing. Once you have that exact model number, you can use it to pull the correct parts list, owner’s manual, and diagrams for your mower.
Where to find the model and serial number
Check these common spots on walk-behind mowers first:
- Rear of the mower deck or housing (most common on this model)
- Near the rear discharge door area
- On the deck surface behind the engine (wipe grass and dirt off first)
- On the handle bracket area (less common)
For the exact location and how it’s labeled, use the 917376240 owner’s manual.
How to “look up” the number once you find it
Use the model number exactly as shown on the decal (include all digits).
- Write down the model number and serial number
- Match the model number to the correct parts diagrams for your Craftsman mower
- Use the diagrams to identify the part name, then confirm the part ID before ordering
Quick example
| What you have | What it’s used for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Model number (917376240) | Finds the correct parts breakdown | Prevents ordering the wrong blade, cable, or wheel parts |
| Serial number | Identifies production run details | Helps confirm the right version when parts changed |
Why it matters
Craftsman walk-behind mowers often have similar-looking decks and handles across multiple models. Using the exact model number helps ensure parts like the drive system and controls match your mower.
If you are replacing a drive-related part after identifying your model, the drive control cable 588479201 is one example of a model-matched part listed for 917376240.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 917376240 rotary lawn mower are no-start conditions, loss of power, poor cut quality, excessive vibration, and drive issues. Most of these trace back to fuel quality, ignition (spark plug), airflow (air filter), blade condition, or grass buildup under the deck; our 917376240 owner's manual troubleshooting chart walks you through the most likely causes.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Won’t start: stale fuel, dirty air filter, disconnected spark plug wire, bad spark plug, control bar not held down
- Loss of power: dirty air filter, heavy grass, grass buildup under the deck, too much oil in the engine
- Poor cut or uneven cut: worn or bent blade, uneven wheel height settings, deck packed with clippings
- Excessive vibration: loose blade hardware, damaged blade, bent crankshaft (often after striking an object)
- Hard to push or self-propel slows: drive control cable out of adjustment, worn drive components, debris drag under the deck
Quick checks we recommend before replacing parts
- Start with fuel: drain stale gas and refill with fresh gasoline.
- Check the control bar: it must be held against the handle to allow starting.
- Inspect the blade area: unplug the spark plug wire first; look for packed grass and a loose blade.
- Verify airflow: clean or replace the air filter if it is dirty.
- Look for impact damage: if the mower hit a stump or rock, inspect for vibration and blade damage.
Symptom-to-fix guide (fast reference)
| Symptom | Most likely cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Won’t start | Stale fuel or dirty air filter | Replace fuel; clean/replace filter |
| Loss of power | Deck packed with clippings | Clean underside of deck |
| Poor cut | Worn/bent blade | Replace blade |
| Vibration | Loose blade or damaged blade | Tighten/inspect; replace blade |
| Self-propel weak | Cable or drive wear | Inspect cable and drive parts |
Parts that commonly wear on this model
If cut quality is poor or vibration increases, the blade is a frequent wear item on a 22-inch multi-cut deck. For this model, use the correct replacement blade such as the lawn mower 22-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532420463 when the original is bent, cracked, or won’t hold an edge.
Why it matters
Catching these issues early prevents hard starting, protects the engine from overload, and helps you avoid damage from running with a loose or unbalanced blade.
Last updated: February 2026
What brand engine does Craftsman use?
For the Craftsman rotary lawn mower model 917376240, the engine brand is Briggs & Stratton (a 650 Series 4-cycle engine). You can confirm the engine series and service details in the 917376240 owner's manual.
What you will typically see on Craftsman mowers
Craftsman has used several engine suppliers across different mower lines and years, but for model 917376240, the manual identifies a Briggs & Stratton engine.
Common engine brands found on Craftsman walk-behind and riding mowers include:
- Briggs & Stratton
- Kohler
- Kawasaki
- (Occasionally) other OEM-supplied engines depending on the mower line
How to verify the engine brand on your exact mower
Even within the same mower model family, the most reliable way to verify is by checking the engine labeling and the mower ID decal.
- Look on the engine shroud for the Briggs & Stratton name and engine family markings
- Find the engine model/type/code stamped or printed on the engine
- Check the mower model/serial decal on the rear of the mower housing
- Match what you see to the engine section in the 917376240 owner's manual
Quick ID checklist
| Where to look | What it tells you | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Engine shroud label | Engine brand and series | Confirms manufacturer at a glance |
| Engine model number | Exact engine build | Ensures correct tune-up and engine parts |
| Mower model decal | Mower model/serial | Helps match chassis and drive parts |
Why it matters
Engine brand affects the correct spark plug type, maintenance specs, and which diagrams you use when ordering engine parts. For example, the manual for this mower includes a Briggs & Stratton engine model listing, which is the starting point for accurate engine-part matching.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the first thing to check if a lawn mower won't start?
On the Craftsman 917376240 rotary lawn mower, the first thing we check is the basics needed for combustion: fresh fuel, a clean air path, and a good spark. If your mower has electric start, we also confirm the battery is charged and connected before moving on.
Quick first checks (fastest wins)
- Make sure the fuel tank has fresh gasoline (old fuel can prevent starting).
- Confirm the spark plug wire is firmly connected.
- Check the air filter; replace it if it is dirty or oil-soaked.
- If equipped with self-propel, disengage the drive before starting (the manual calls this out as a starting step).
- If your model uses a battery for starting, charge it before first start and reconnect the engine and battery connectors afterward.
If it has electric start: battery and connections
The 917376240 manual notes the battery must be charged before you can start the mower the first time, and it also notes the engine does not recharge the battery. Use the steps in the 917376240 owner's manual to verify the correct connector hookups and charge time.
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Starter does nothing | Battery discharged or connector unplugged | Charge battery, reconnect connectors, retry |
| Starter turns slowly | Weak battery or poor connection | Charge fully, clean/tighten connections |
| Pull start works but electric start does not | Battery or switch/harness issue | Check battery first, then wiring/switch |
When to move past the basics
If fuel, air, spark, and (if applicable) battery are all good, the next most common causes are carburetor fuel varnish, a stuck safety/zone control, or an ignition problem. For a step-by-step flow, use our lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video fuel ignition and compression.
Why it matters
Starting problems are usually simple and inexpensive when caught early. Checking fuel quality, air filter condition, and spark connection first prevents unnecessary parts replacement and gets you back to mowing faster.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917376240?
The model number for this Craftsman rotary lawn mower is 917.376240 (often written without the dot as 917376240). You can confirm it on the model tag and on the cover page of the 917376240 owner's manual.
Where to find the model number on the mower
Check these common locations first:
- On the rear of the deck near the discharge door or bagging area
- On the deck surface near the engine mounting area
- On the handle bracket area (left or right side)
- On a sticker or metal plate that also lists engine details
Why the dot matters (917.376240 vs 917376240)
Both formats refer to the same mower; the dot is a formatting style used in some manuals and parts lists.
| You might see it as | What it means | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| 917.376240 | Same model number | Owner’s manual, diagrams |
| 917376240 | Same model number | Parts lookup, ordering |
Tips to avoid ordering the wrong parts
When you look up parts for Craftsman model 917376240, match the full model number exactly.
- Use the full model number, not just “917”
- If a part varies by production run, compare the part description to your mower’s setup
- For drive system parts, confirm whether your mower is self-propelled (power-propelled)
- For cutting parts, confirm deck size (this model is a 22-inch multi-cut deck)
Why it matters
The model number is the key to getting the correct diagrams and replacement parts (blade, drive cable, wheels, discharge door). Even a single digit off can pull up a different Craftsman walk-behind mower design.
Last updated: February 2026
What size deck is a Craftsman 917376240?
The Craftsman rotary lawn mower model 917376240 uses a 22-inch cutting deck (often listed as a 22-inch Multi-Cut deck). This is the blade and deck size you match when buying a replacement blade, bagging parts, or setting mowing expectations for your yard.
Where the 22-inch deck size comes from
Our 917376240 owner's manual identifies this mower as a power-propelled 22-inch Multi-Cut rotary lawn mower, and the parts list also calls out a 22-inch blade.
What to buy or match for a 22-inch deck
When you are shopping parts for a 22-inch Craftsman walk-behind mower, these are the specs that must match:
- Blade length: 22 inches (use the correct center hole pattern for the blade adapter)
- Deck type: rotary, 3-in-1 (mulch, bag, side/rear discharge depending on setup)
- Fasteners: use the correct washers and lock nuts when reinstalling the blade
- Discharge/bagging hardware: deflectors and doors must match the deck opening style
If you need a direct-fit replacement, the model parts list includes the lawn mower 22-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532420463.
Quick reference table
| Item | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deck (cutting width) | 22 in. | Determines mowing swath and blade size |
| Replacement blade | 22-in blade for 917376240 | Prevents vibration, poor cut, and fit issues |
| Blade hardware | Correct washer and lock nut | Keeps the blade secured at operating speed |
Why it matters
Deck size drives everything from cut quality to parts fit. Using the correct 22-inch blade and matching hardware helps prevent uneven cutting, excess vibration, and premature wear on the blade adapter and crankshaft.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 917376240?
The Craftsman model number 917376240 identifies the mower series and configuration, not the build year. To determine the year, we use the product number/serial number label on the mower and match its date code format using the 917376240 owner's manual.
How to find the build date label on this mower
On Craftsman walk-behind mowers like 917376240, the product number/serial label is typically on the mower deck or handle mounting area.
- Look on the rear of the deck near the handle brackets
- Check the side of the deck near the rear wheel area
- Inspect under the rear door/discharge area if equipped
- Wipe off grass and oil so every digit is readable
- Record the full model number and the full serial/product number exactly as shown
How to decode the year (what to look for)
The label can show the date in different ways depending on the production run. Use the manual to confirm which format your label uses.
| Label pattern you may see | How it’s commonly read | What gives you the year |
|---|---|---|
| 6-digit date code | MMDDYY | The last 2 digits (YY) |
| 4-digit code | YYWW (year, week) | The first 2 digits (YY) |
| Separate “MFG DATE” field | Month and year listed | The year is printed directly |
Why it matters
The build year helps match the correct parts version when designs change during production (for example, handle hardware, drive system pieces, or deck components). It also helps when ordering common wear items like the lawn mower 22-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532420463.
Last updated: February 2026
