Owner’s manual
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Should I use 87 or 91 gas for lawn mower?
For Craftsman model 917372480, use fresh, clean unleaded regular gas (87 octane). This mower’s manual specifically says do not use premium gasoline, so 91 octane is not needed for performance and can contribute to carbon buildup over time. See the 917372480 owner's manual.
What to use (and what to avoid)
- Use: 87 octane unleaded gasoline
- Avoid: Premium fuel (often 91 or 93 octane)
- Avoid: Old gas that has been sitting since last season
- Avoid: Gas from rusty or dirty fuel cans (it can contaminate the fuel system)
Quick comparison
| Fuel choice | Works in 917372480? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 87 octane unleaded (regular) | Yes | Matches the manual’s guidance for unleaded fuel; reliable starting and running |
| 91 octane (premium) | No (not recommended) | Manual says not to use premium; higher octane does not add power in this engine |
| Old/stale gas | No | Causes hard starting, rough running, and fuel system issues |
Why it matters
Octane is mainly about resistance to knock, not “cleanliness” or extra power. Small mower engines like the one on the 917372480 are designed to run correctly on regular unleaded; using the right fuel helps prevent starting problems and keeps the carburetor and jets from gumming up.
Fuel handling tips that prevent no-start problems
- Fill the tank outdoors and only after the engine cools.
- Don’t overfill; wipe up spills before starting.
- Buy gas in amounts you will use quickly; don’t store gas from one season to the next.
- Replace fuel cans that are starting to rust.
- If you are stocking up on maintenance items, we list model-matched parts on this page, and you can also search by model at Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
How to find Craftsman model number?
On Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917372480, the mower model number is printed on a decal attached to the rear of the mower housing. The engine has a separate model number, found on the engine blower housing near the spark plug; both numbers help us match the correct parts and diagrams in the owner's manual.
Where to look on model 917372480
- Check the rear of the mower deck/housing for the mower ID decal.
- Wipe off grass and dirt; decals can be hard to read when the deck is dirty.
- Write down the full model number exactly as shown (including dots or dashes if present).
- For engine parts, look on the blower housing next to the spark plug for the engine model number.
- If the decal is worn, use a flashlight and take a photo; zooming in often reveals faded characters.
Mower model number vs. engine model number (why there are two)
| What you are identifying | Where it’s found | What it’s used for |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number (example: 917372480) | Rear of mower housing (deck) | Deck, drive system, wheels, handle, bagger, deflector, hardware |
| Engine model number (example shown in manual: 143.424152) | Blower housing near spark plug | Engine-specific parts like ignition, carburetion, gaskets, recoil starter |
Why it matters
Using the correct model number prevents ordering the wrong parts for common repairs like blade and drive work. For example, the parts list for 917372480 includes items such as the walk-behind lawn mower engine pulley 582940301 and the lawn mower blade adapter 581547901, which must match your exact mower configuration.
Ordering tips we recommend
- Match the model number first, then confirm the part ID on the diagram.
- If you are ordering fasteners, confirm size and quantity; examples include lock nut 596322601 and screw 532428867.
- If you want to search beyond the parts shown for this model, use your model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lawn mower?
Repairing a Craftsman walk-behind mower like model 917372480 is cheaper when the problem is routine maintenance or a small wear part; replacement makes more sense when the engine or drive system has major damage and repair costs approach about half the price of a comparable new mower.
A practical repair vs. replace checklist
We use these quick checks to decide:
- Starts and runs well after basic tune-up items (oil, spark plug, air filter) are addressed.
- Blade system is solid (no severe vibration, no obvious crankshaft bend).
- Drive issues are minor (debris in wheel gears, worn wheel parts) rather than a failed transmission.
- Deck and safety parts are intact (guards, deflector, grass catcher).
- Repair estimate is under ~50% of the cost of a similar replacement mower.
For model-specific maintenance intervals and safety guidance, use the 917372480 owner's manual.
Typical costs and what they usually mean
| Issue type | Common examples | Usually cheaper to | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine maintenance | Oil change, blade sharpening, fastener tightening | Repair | Low parts cost, quick labor |
| Wear parts | Wheels, blade adapter, deflector, bag/frame | Repair | Restores performance without major teardown |
| Major mechanical | Bent crankshaft, severe engine wear, major drive failure | Replace | Labor and parts add up fast |
Parts that often make repair worthwhile
If the mower is otherwise in good shape, replacing a few common wear items can restore safe operation and cut quality:
- Lawn mower blade adapter 581547901 (helps the blade mount correctly and run true)
- Deflector 532413160 (important for safe discharge control)
- Lawn mower wheel 582943001 (improves traction and height consistency)
- Drive cover 582952501 (protects the drive area from debris)
Why it matters
A mower that is maintained on schedule typically lasts longer and costs less to own. The manual emphasizes keeping bolts/nuts tight, keeping safety devices in place, and inspecting the blade regularly; those steps prevent damage that turns a simple repair into a replacement decision.
If you decide to replace parts, we recommend ordering from the parts list for your model first; you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman Model 917372480?
The model number 917372480 identifies the Craftsman walk-behind mower design, but it does not encode a single “model year.” The best date clue we have is the manual print/revision date 02/27/92, shown in the owner's manual; use your mower’s product label details to narrow the actual build year.
What the manual date means (and what it does not)
The owner's manual for model 917.372480 shows Rev. 2 02/27/92. That date tells you when the documentation was printed or revised; it does not guarantee the exact year your specific mower was manufactured.
- Manual revision date helps place the mower in the early 1990s era
- Production can span multiple years for the same model number
- Parts selection should be based on the full model number and the mower’s configuration
How to identify the mower’s build timeframe
Check the decal on the rear of the mower housing (the manual notes this location). Record everything on that label before ordering parts.
- Full model number: 917372480
- Any serial number or product number on the decal
- Engine model number (listed on the blower housing near the spark plug)
- Any date code printed on the label (format varies)
Quick reference
| Item to check | Where you’ll find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number | Rear housing decal | Confirms you have 917372480 |
| Manual revision date | Manual footer | Dates the documentation (02/27/92) |
| Engine model number | Blower housing near spark plug | Helps match engine-specific parts |
Why it matters
Craftsman changed decks, drive systems, and handle hardware over time. Using the label information plus the diagrams in the owner's manual helps ensure you pick the correct parts for your exact configuration.
If you’re matching common wear items for this model, examples from the parts list include the Lawn mower blade adapter (part number 851514, part ID 581547901) and the Walk-behind lawn mower engine pulley (part number 85543, part ID 582940301).
Last updated: February 2026
