Craftsman 917270951 20.5-hp 42" mower lawn tractor Parts

For the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917270951, Craftsman commonly used engines supplied by major manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, and Kawasaki. The exact engine brand on your tractor is confirmed by checking the engine ID label and the engine information section in the 917270951 owner's manual.

How to identify the engine brand on your 917270951

Use these quick checks on the tractor you have in front of you:

• Look for a label on the engine shroud or valve cover that lists the engine manufacturer and model.
• Check the engine model, type, and code numbers (often stamped or printed on a tag).
• Match the engine label information to the engine section and parts listings in the 917270951 owner's manual.
• If the hood decal references an engine type (for example, B&S), use that as a clue, then confirm on the engine label.
• Use the tractor model number 917270951 when ordering tractor parts, and use the engine model number when ordering engine-specific parts.

Common engine suppliers you will see on Craftsman tractors

These are the most common engine brands used across many Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors:

Engine brand	What you will typically see on the engine label	Notes for parts lookup
Briggs & Stratton	“Briggs & Stratton” plus model/type/code	Very common on 20.5 HP-class tractors
Kohler	“Kohler” plus model/spec	Often uses a spec number that matters for parts
Kawasaki	“Kawasaki” plus model/spec	Common on some higher-end configurations

Why it matters

The tractor model number 917270951 helps us match chassis and deck parts (belts, blades, mandrel components), but the engine brand and engine model determine the correct tune-up parts (spark plug, air filter, fuel filter) and many engine repair parts.

Last updated: January 2026

On Craftsman lawn tractors like model 917270951, the engine manufacturer depends on the specific engine model installed. For this model, the owner’s manual parts list identifies a Briggs & Stratton engine (engine model 461707, type 0145-E1), so Briggs & Stratton is the engine maker for this tractor.

How to confirm the engine maker on your tractor

We recommend verifying using the engine ID tag on the engine itself and matching it to the documentation.

• Lift the hood and locate the engine identification label (often on the blower housing or valve cover area).
• Look for Briggs & Stratton branding and the model/type/code numbers.
• Match the engine model to the engine section in the 917270951 owner's manual.
• If the tractor has had an engine swap, use the engine tag (not the tractor model) to buy tune-up parts.

What the manual shows for model 917270951

The documentation for Craftsman 917270951 lists the engine as Briggs & Stratton:

Item	What to look for	What it tells you
Tractor model	917270951	Identifies the mower/tractor platform
Engine brand	Briggs & Stratton	Who made the engine
Engine model	461707	Which engine family you have
Type number	0145-E1	Exact configuration for parts matching

Why it matters

Engine parts (spark plugs, air filter, fuel system parts, gaskets) are selected by engine model/type, not just by “Craftsman” or engine size in cc. Using the correct Briggs & Stratton identifiers helps you get the right replacement parts the first time.

Last updated: January 2026

The Craftsman 917270951 20.5-hp 42-inch lawn tractor uses a Briggs & Stratton engine identified in the parts list as model 461707, type 0145-E1 (also shown as breakdown number 461707-0145-E1). For exact tune-up specs and service details, use the 917270951 owner's manual.

How to confirm the engine on your tractor

We recommend matching the manual information to the engine ID tag on the engine shroud or valve cover area.

• Look for Briggs & Stratton branding on the engine
• Find the stamped/printed Model number: 461707
• Find the Type number: 0145-E1
• Record the Code number (build date) for parts lookup
• Compare what you see to the engine section in the 917270951 owner's manual

What the engine number means (quick guide)

These identifiers help you get the right carburetor, fuel pump diaphragm, ignition parts, and gaskets.

Identifier	What it tells you	Example for this tractor
Model	Engine family/displacement group	461707
Type	Exact configuration and parts fit	0145-E1
Code	Build date used for revisions	Varies by engine

Why it matters when ordering parts

Briggs engines can look similar across multiple Craftsman tractors, but small differences in the type number can change fit for fuel system and ignition components. Using the correct engine ID helps avoid wrong parts and repeat repairs.

Related tip if you are troubleshooting fuel or starting issues

If the engine only runs with choke or surges, common checks include:

• Old fuel or water in fuel
• Clogged fuel filter or restricted fuel line
• Dirty carburetor jets
• Weak fuel pump output (if equipped)
• Plugged tank vent in the fuel cap

Last updated: January 2026