Owner’s manual
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Should I use 87 or 91 gas for lawn mower?
For the Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917370691, use 87 octane gasoline; higher octane (like 91) does not add power or improve running in this type of small engine. Use fresh fuel and follow the ethanol limit in the 917370691 owner's manual.
Fuel type we recommend
- Octane: 87 (regular unleaded)
- Ethanol content: Up to 10% ethanol (E10) is acceptable
- Avoid: Any fuel over E10 (it can cause problems and can void the warranty)
- Freshness: Use fresh gasoline; stale fuel is a common no-start cause
- Storage: If storing 30+ days, run the tank and carburetor dry before storage
87 vs 91: what changes and what does not
| Fuel choice | Best use in this mower | What you will notice |
|---|---|---|
| 87 octane (regular) | Everyday mowing | Normal starting and performance |
| 91 octane (premium) | Not needed | Typically no performance benefit |
Why it matters
Most walk-behind mower engines are designed for regular fuel. The bigger reliability factors are fuel freshness, keeping ethanol at E10 or less, and preventing water contamination that can lead to hard starting and carburetor issues.
Quick tips to prevent fuel problems
- Buy gas in small quantities so it gets used quickly.
- Keep the gas can clean and replace it if it starts to rust.
- If the mower will sit, empty the tank and run the engine until it stops.
- If the mower will not start, check for stale fuel, a dirty air filter, and spark plug issues per the 917370691 owner's manual.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 917370691?
Craftsman model 917370691 is identified in the documentation as a Craftsman rotary lawn mower (22-inch Multi-Cut, 700 Series Briggs & Stratton engine). The model number itself does not encode a build year; use the mower’s product date code (on the ID label) to determine the exact year. See the 917370691 owner's manual for label locations and model identification details.
How to find the year on your mower
We use the mower’s product date code (sometimes called a date code or serial/date label), not the model number, to determine the year.
- Look for the ID label on the rear of the deck, near the engine, or on the handle bracket area
- Clean the label gently so the stamped/printed code is readable
- Write down the full code, including letters and numbers
- If the label shows multiple numbers, record them all (model, product number, and any date/serial code)
- Match the code format to the decoding guidance in the 917370691 owner's manual
Model number vs. date code (quick comparison)
| What you have | What it tells you | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Model number (917370691) | The mower’s design family and parts fit | The exact manufacturing year |
| Product date code / serial label | The specific build date or year | Parts compatibility by itself |
Why it matters
The year helps when you are matching decals, handle hardware, and drive system variations, but parts selection for Craftsman walk-behind mowers is primarily driven by the exact model number and the correct diagram callout. For example, common wear items like the lawn mower ground drive belt 532196853 and husqvarna lawn mower 22-inch deck 3-in-1 blade 532421825 are chosen by model and configuration.
Last updated: February 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On the Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917370691, the model number and serial number are printed on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing. Use that mower model number (not the engine numbers) when ordering most replacement parts.
Where to look on model 917370691
Check these common decal locations first:
- Rear of the mower deck housing (behind the engine, near the back edge)
- Rear skirt area above the discharge opening
- Near the height-adjuster brackets on the back of the deck
- On the handle support area close to where the handle mounts to the deck
For diagrams and the exact identification notes, use the 917370691 owner's manual.
What numbers you should write down
Record both numbers so we can match the correct parts list:
- Model number: identifies the mower (example: 917370691)
- Serial number: identifies the production run
- Date of purchase: helpful for maintenance tracking
Quick ID guide
| Number type | What it’s used for | Where it’s found |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number | Deck, drive system, handle, wheels, bagging parts | Rear housing decal |
| Mower serial number | Confirms exact build/version | Rear housing decal |
| Engine model/type/code | Engine-specific parts (spark plug, carb, recoil) | Stamped/printed on engine |
Why it matters
Craftsman walk-behind mowers often share similar frames, but parts like the drive belt, transmission, blade, and controls can vary by model and serial range. Using the correct mower model number helps prevent ordering the wrong blade, drive components, or hardware.
Last updated: February 2026
How do I find out what kind of lawn mower I have?
For a Craftsman walk-behind mower like model 917370691, the fastest way to identify what you have is to match the mower’s model number on the ID tag to the mower parts diagrams, then use the engine model/type/code on the engine label for engine-specific parts. Use the 917370691 owner's manual to confirm control locations and features.
Where to look for the identification numbers
Check these common spots on a Craftsman walk-behind mower:
- Mower deck housing (top or rear area near the discharge opening)
- Rear door or rear skirt area (near the grass catcher opening)
- Handle support brackets (left or right side)
- Engine shroud/blower housing (engine model/type/code label)
- Under the deck (only after the spark plug wire is disconnected and the mower is secured)
What numbers you need (mower vs. engine)
Most gas walk-behind mowers use two different identifiers because the mower and engine have separate parts lists.
| What you are identifying | What to record | What it’s used for |
|---|---|---|
| Mower (Craftsman) | Model number 917370691 | Deck, wheels, drive system, handle controls, bagging/mulching parts |
| Engine (varies by engine brand) | Engine model/type/code | Carburetor, ignition parts, air filter, starter, internal engine parts |
How to confirm you have the right mower model
Once you have the mower model number, confirm by matching visible features called out in the manual:
- Operator presence control bar and drive control levers
- Mulcher door and discharge/bagging setup
- Wheel height adjusters (on each wheel)
- Grass catcher style (rear bagger on many versions)
If you are replacing a wear item, match by function and fitment. For example, a 22-inch deck commonly uses a 22-inch blade such as the husqvarna lawn mower 22-inch deck 3-in-1 blade 532421825 when it is listed for your model.
Why it matters
Using the correct mower model number and the correct engine model/type/code prevents ordering the wrong blade, belt, or drive parts, and it keeps troubleshooting steps aligned with the exact controls and safety features on your mower.
Last updated: February 2026
