How to look up Craftsman model number?
On a Craftsman riding lawn tractor like model 917276816, you can look up the model number by finding the model and serial tag on the tractor itself, then matching that number when ordering parts or checking specifications in the 917276816 owner's manual.
Most Craftsman tractors place the identification label in one of these common spots:
- On the frame under the seat (lift the seat and look down at the frame rails)
- On the underside of the seat pan
- Near the rear fender area close to the seat mounting points
- Occasionally on the left or right side of the frame near the engine compartment
For this tractor, the model number format is a 9-digit number (often shown with a dot in printed manuals).
| Where you see it | Example format | What to enter when searching parts |
|---|---|---|
| Operator's manual cover | 917.276816 | 917276816 |
| ID tag on tractor | 917276816 | 917276816 |
Once you have the model number, use it to ensure you get the correct Craftsman parts and diagrams.
- Confirm the full model number matches exactly (all digits)
- Use the model number to pull the correct parts list and exploded views
- Use the serial number to confirm production variation when parts differ by range
- Keep a photo of the tag for future belt, blade, and electrical part lookups
Craftsman tractors can share similar deck sizes and engines, but parts like the drive belt, blades, and starter solenoid can vary by model series. Using the exact model number helps prevent ordering a part that fits a different 42-inch deck or transaxle setup.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the main parts of a tractor engine?
On the Craftsman 917276816 front-engine lawn tractor, the engine’s main parts include the cylinder and piston group that creates power, the fuel and ignition systems that start and feed combustion, and the lubrication system that protects internal components. For model-specific maintenance and safety details, use the 917276816 owner's manual.
- Cylinder block and cylinder(s): The main engine body; cylinders guide piston movement.
- Pistons and rings: Convert combustion pressure into motion; rings help seal compression and control oil.
- Crankshaft and connecting rods: Turn piston up-and-down motion into rotating power.
- Valvetrain (camshaft, valves, lifters): Controls air-fuel intake and exhaust flow.
- Fuel system (tank, fuel line, carburetor or injection): Delivers fuel; stale/contaminated fuel commonly causes running issues.
- Ignition system (spark plug, coil, key switch): Creates spark and controls starting.
- Lubrication system (oil, filter if equipped): Reduces wear; correct oil level is critical.
These are not internal engine components, but they directly affect starting and running:
| System | What it affects | Common symptom when faulty |
|---|---|---|
| Battery and cables | Cranking power | Clicks, slow crank, no crank |
| Starter solenoid | Sends power to starter | Single click, no crank |
| Safety interlocks | Allows starting only in safe conditions | No crank, intermittent start |
| Air cleaner | Airflow for combustion | Runs rich, lacks power, hard start |
- Use fresh gasoline; we use fuel within 30 days to avoid stale/oxidized fuel issues.
- Check engine oil level before mowing.
- Keep the mower deck clear of debris to reduce fire risk and overheating.
- Confirm wiring connections are secure if starting is intermittent.
- If you get a click-no-crank symptom, test the starting circuit and consider the lawn tractor starter solenoid 582042802.
Knowing which parts are “engine” versus “starting/safety” helps you troubleshoot faster. For example, a no-start can be fuel quality, a safety interlock, or a solenoid, not a failed engine.
Last updated: February 2026
What brand engine does Craftsman use?
Craftsman lawn tractors can use engines from several manufacturers; for Craftsman model 917276816, the operator’s literature identifies it as a 20 HP front-engine lawn tractor but does not call out a specific engine brand in the excerpted pages, so we treat engine brand as model- and build-specific and confirm it using the engine ID label and the 917276816 owner's manual.
Use the engine’s identification label, not the hood badge. On most riding mowers, the label is on the blower housing, valve cover area, or near the muffler.
- Look for engine manufacturer name (commonly Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, or Kawasaki)
- Write down the engine model, type, and code/spec numbers
- Match those numbers to the engine parts list or service info
- If the label is dirty, wipe it clean; avoid spraying water into the air intake
- Compare what you find to the specifications section in the 917276816 owner's manual
Across Craftsman riding mowers and tractors, these are the most common engine suppliers you will see:
| Engine brand | What you typically see on the ID tag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Briggs & Stratton | Model / Type / Code | Very common on many Craftsman tractors |
| Kohler | Model / Spec | Often listed as “Courage” or “7000 series” on some units |
| Kawasaki | Model / Spec | More common on higher-end configurations |
Engine brand determines the correct tune-up parts (air filter, spark plug, fuel filter), oil recommendations, and the right troubleshooting steps when the tractor will not start or runs rough.
If the starter clicks but the engine will not crank, the issue is often battery cables, the starter solenoid, or a safety interlock. When you are diagnosing a no-crank condition, the starter solenoid 582042802 is one of the common electrical parts involved.
Last updated: February 2026
What engine does Craftsman riding mower use?
For Craftsman lawn tractor model 917276816, the operator’s manual identifies it as a 20 HP, 42-inch mower tractor with a low-emission engine; the manual does not name a specific engine brand. For the exact engine make and model used on your unit, we use the engine ID label on the engine itself and confirm it against the 917276816 owner's manual.
Look for the engine identification label (usually on the blower housing, valve cover area, or near the starter). Record all characters exactly.
- Find the engine model and type (sometimes also code)
- Write down the serial number
- Note whether it is single-cylinder or V-twin
- Check for a low-emission marking or family number
- Compare what you find to the specifications section in the 917276816 owner's manual
The manual cover for model 917.276816 lists the tractor as 20 HP with a 42-inch mower and notes the engine is a low-emission design. That tells us the tractor is built around a common small-engine platform, but the exact engine manufacturer can vary by production run.
| Item | What you’ll see | What it’s used for |
|---|---|---|
| Engine model/type | Letters and numbers on the engine label | Ordering tune-up parts (air filter, spark plug) |
| Engine code/family | Additional code on label | Matching the correct carburetor and emissions parts |
| Tractor model | 917276816 | Matching chassis, deck, and drive parts |
Using the correct engine identification prevents wrong-part orders for maintenance items like spark plugs, air filters, and starter components, and it speeds up troubleshooting when the engine will not start or runs poorly.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917276816?
The model number for this Craftsman front-engine lawn tractor is 917.276816 (often written without the dot as 917276816). You can confirm it on the cover and model number section of the 917276816 owner's manual.
We recommend checking the tractor’s model/serial tag first, then matching it to the manual.
- Look under the seat area or seat pan for a model/serial label
- Check the frame near the rear fender or footrest area
- Wipe dirt and grass off the tag so all digits are readable
- Record the full model number and serial number before ordering parts
- Match the number format exactly (including any dots)
Both formats refer to the same tractor model.
| Where you see it | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Operator’s manual | 917.276816 | Printed model number format |
| Parts listings and tags | 917276816 | Same model number without punctuation |
Using the exact model number ensures you get the right Craftsman riding mower and tractor parts (like blades, belts, and electrical parts) that fit your deck and chassis configuration.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is my Craftsman?
Your Craftsman lawn tractor model 917276816 does not have a single “model year” printed in the model number; you identify the year by reading the date code on the product identification label, which is typically found under the seat on this style of Craftsman tractor. Use the date code to decode the build date.
Start with the most common, most reliable spot first:
- Under the seat on the seat pan or frame (lift the seat and look for a sticker or metal tag)
- On the frame rail directly below the seat area
- Near the rear fender pan close to the seat hinge
- In the identification and service information section of the 917276816 owner's manual
A common Craftsman tractor date code is a 6-digit number in this format:
- MM = month (01 to 12)
- DD = day (01 to 31)
- YY = year (00 to 99)
If your label shows 072811, the tractor was built on July 28, 2011.
| Date code | MM | DD | YY | Build date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 072811 | 07 | 28 | 11 | July 28, 2011 |
Some tags include letters or longer strings. Use these checks to find the date portion:
- Look for a 6-digit group where the first two digits are 01 to 12
- Check for nearby wording such as DATE, DOM, or MFG
- If you see multiple number groups, use the one that cleanly matches a real month and day
The build date helps us match the correct parts and diagrams for your 917276816, especially for wear items like a lawn tractor drive belt 532138255 or deck components.
Last updated: February 2026





