How to look up Craftsman model number?
To look up the Craftsman model number for your equipment, we first locate the model number tag on the machine and then use that exact number (for this mower, 917373680) when searching parts diagrams and the 917373680 owner's manual. On walk-behind mowers, the tag is typically on the deck housing or near the rear of the mower.
Check these common spots on a Craftsman 22-inch rotary mower like model 917373680:
- On top of the mower deck, usually near the rear discharge door area
- On the back of the deck (rear-facing surface)
- Near the height adjuster area on the deck side
- On a label near the engine mounting area
- On the engine shroud for the engine model (separate from the mower model)
Your mower has a separate engine model number; the manual parts list shows an engine identified as 143.434332. Use the mower model (917373680) for chassis, wheels, drive, and handle parts; use the engine model for engine-internal parts.
| What you’re looking up | Use this number | Examples of parts it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Mower (Craftsman) parts | 917373680 | Drive belt, wheels, handle knobs, deck hardware |
| Engine parts | 143.434332 | Carburetor components, ignition parts, breather parts |
- Write the model number exactly as shown on the tag (include all digits)
- If the tag is dirty, wipe it and take a clear photo before ordering
- Match the part by description in the parts list (example: “V-belt”, “drive cover”, “handle knob”)
- For self-propelled issues, confirm whether your mower uses a drive belt and drive cover assembly
Craftsman model numbers identify the exact deck, drive system, and handle configuration. Using the correct model number prevents ordering a belt, gear, or wheel part that fits a different 22-inch mower version.
Last updated: February 2026
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lawn mower?
For a Craftsman lawn mower model 917373680, it’s cheaper to repair when the problem is routine maintenance or a small wear item (blade, belt, fasteners). Replacing makes more sense when the engine or drive system needs major work and the repair cost approaches half the price of a comparable new mower; use the 917373680 owner's manual maintenance schedule to reduce repeat repairs.
- Repair if it needs a tune-up, blade sharpening, or basic cleaning and adjustment
- Repair if the mower is otherwise reliable and starts, cuts, and self-propels normally
- Replace if the engine has low compression, heavy smoke, or repeated no-start issues after tune-up
- Replace if the drive system keeps slipping even after belt and pulley checks
- Replace if the deck is severely rusted/cracked or the handle and safety controls are damaged
| Situation | Typical DIY cost | Typical shop cost | Usually best choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade service, oil change, spark plug, air filter | $20 to $80 | $75 to $200 | Repair |
| Self-propel drive slipping (belt, pulley inspection) | $30 to $80 | $150 to $300 | Repair if deck/engine are solid |
| Major engine problem (internal) | $0 to $50 diagnosis | $300+ | Replace |
Your 917373680 manual calls out routine checks that directly reduce expensive failures, including keeping fasteners tight, keeping the engine free of grass and oil buildup, and keeping a sharp blade. It also specifies blade bolt torque: 35 to 40 ft-lbs, which helps prevent blade adapter and crankshaft damage.
- Tighten blade and engine mounting bolts
- Inspect and tighten nuts, bolts, and screws
- Clean the mower deck and keep the engine area clear of debris
- Inspect the grass catcher for wear (if equipped)
- Replace the spark plug and air filter element yearly for best starting
If the mower is not self-propelling or the drive feels weak, checking the drive components is a smart first step before replacing the mower.
- Belt 532157769 (common wear item for drive issues)
- Walk-behind lawn mower engine pulley 582940301 (can contribute to belt slip or poor drive)
A well-maintained walk-behind mower typically runs for 10 years. Spending a little on maintenance parts and correct adjustments often restores performance and avoids the bigger cost of replacing the entire mower.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 917373680 gas walk-behind mower include no-start conditions (stale fuel, dirty air filter, spark plug issues), loss of power from grass buildup under the deck, excessive vibration from a loose blade or damaged blade adapter, and self-propel drive problems such as belt wear. Use the 917373680 owner's manual troubleshooting chart to match symptoms to causes.
- Does not start: out of fuel, stale fuel, dirty air filter, spark plug wire off, bad spark plug
- Loss of power: cutting too much grass, dirty air filter, grass and debris packed under the mower deck
- Poor or uneven cut: dull or bent blade, uneven wheel height settings, low engine speed
- Excessive vibration: worn or loose blade, bent crankshaft after striking an object
- Starter rope hard to pull: blade brake engaged, debris binding the blade area
- Loss of drive (self-propel): worn drive belt, worn gears, debris in the drive area
- Drain old gas and refill with fresh fuel (stale fuel is a top cause of hard starting).
- Check and clean or replace the air filter.
- Inspect the underside of the deck for packed grass; clean it out after the engine cools.
- Inspect the blade and blade mounting hardware; tighten to the specified torque.
- If the mower is self-propelled and will not move, inspect the drive system and belt condition.
The manual calls out blade bolt torque of 35 to 40 ft-lbs, and it also notes that a loose blade or broken blade adapter can cause starting problems and vibration. If you suspect blade mounting damage, inspect the blade adapter and related hardware such as the lawn mower blade adapter 581547901.
| Symptom | Most likely area | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration | Blade system | Loose blade bolt, bent blade, damaged adapter |
| Poor cut | Blade and deck | Dull blade, uneven wheel height, deck buildup |
| Won’t move | Drive system | Worn belt, damaged gears, drive cover packed with debris |
These problems usually trace back to routine maintenance items (fuel, air filter, blade condition, deck cleanliness). Fixing them early helps protect the crankshaft, improves cut quality, and keeps the mower safe and easier to start.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917373680?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind lawn mower is 917.373680 (often written without the dot as 917373680). You’ll see it printed on the mower’s model tag and throughout the parts diagrams in the 917373680 owner's manual.
Check these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:
- On the rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- On the top of the deck behind the engine
- Near the height adjuster area on the deck side
- On a label near the handle mounting points
Both formats refer to the same mower; the dot is just a formatting style used in manuals and parts lists.
| You might see it as | What it means | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| 917.373680 | Same model number | Common in printed manuals/diagrams |
| 917373680 | Same model number | Common online and on some tags |
Using the exact model number helps match the correct drive system, deck parts, and hardware for your mower.
- Confirms the correct 22-inch rotary mower parts list
- Helps match drive components like the drive cover 582952501
- Helps match wheel and drive hardware such as the lawn mower drive pinion gear 532137054
- Reduces returns caused by similar-looking Craftsman mower models
If your mower is self-propelled and “won’t move,” the model number is the first thing we use to narrow down the right belt, pulley, and gearcase parts.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman model 917373680?
Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917373680 is a specific 22-inch rotary mower model number, but the exact production year is not printed in the model number itself. For the correct year, we use the mower’s product identification label information and confirm it against the parts list in the 917373680 owner's manual.
Use these checks on your Craftsman mower:
- Locate the model and serial label (commonly on the rear of the deck, near the handle mounts, or on the housing).
- Write down the serial number exactly as shown.
- Check for an engine model/type/code on the engine shroud (the manual references an engine model family for this mower).
- Compare your label details to the illustrated parts breakdown for MODEL NUMBER 917.373680 in the manual.
- If the label is damaged, use the engine code date as a secondary way to estimate the mower’s build timeframe.
The documentation for this unit identifies it as a Craftsman 22-inch rotary, power-propelled lawn mower and shows model-specific assemblies such as the gear case and drive system.
| Item in documentation | What it tells you | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Model number 917.373680 parts diagrams | Confirms the exact mower design and compatible parts | The calendar year it was built |
| Gear case assembly and drive parts list | Confirms it is a self-propelled configuration | The manufacturing date |
| Engine identification info | Helps date the engine | Engine date is not always the same as mower assembly date |
The production year affects parts compatibility (drive belt, wheels, gear case parts, and hardware). For example, the drive system parts list for this model includes items like the drive cover 582952501 and related drive components; matching by model and serial prevents ordering the wrong revision.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is Craftsman model 917373680?
Craftsman model 917373680 is a 22-inch rotary walk-behind mower model series; the exact build year is determined from the product’s date code/serial information, not from the model number alone. We use the identification and date-code details shown in the 917373680 owner's manual to match the mower to the correct production timeframe and parts list.
Look for the model and serial/date information on the mower’s ID label (commonly on the rear of the deck, near the handle mounts, or on the housing).
- Clean the area so the label is readable (grass and oil can hide digits).
- Write down the model number (917373680) and the serial/date code exactly.
- Compare the format to the identification section in the manual.
- If the label is missing, check for a stamped number on the deck or frame.
- Use the parts diagrams in the manual to confirm you are matching the correct configuration.
The model number 917373680 identifies the Craftsman product family and the correct repair parts breakdown (for example, the manual lists it as a 22-inch rotary mower). It does not reliably encode the manufacturing year.
| Identifier | What it’s used for | Example for this mower |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | Finds the correct parts diagrams and manuals | 917373680 |
| Serial/date code | Determines production date (year) | Found on ID label |
| Part ID | Orders the exact replacement part | 532157769 |
Craftsman walk-behind mowers can have mid-series changes (drive system, gearcase, handle hardware). Using the serial/date code prevents ordering the wrong belt, gear, or hardware.
If you are confirming the year because you need parts, these are often production-sensitive:
- Drive belt and drive components (for example, belt 532157769)
- Drive cover and wheel-drive hardware
- Gearcase and pinion gear components
- Handle knobs and control cables
Last updated: February 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On your Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917373680, the model number is typically found on the mower’s identification label on the deck housing (often near the rear discharge area or above the rear wheels). For the exact label location and what to record, use the 917373680 owner's manual.
Check these common spots on Craftsman 22-inch rotary mowers:
- Top of the mower deck near the engine mounting area
- Rear of the deck near the bagger opening or rear door
- Side of the deck near the height adjuster area
- Under the rear flap/door (wipe grass buildup away first)
- Handle support area (less common, but worth a quick check)
We recommend recording both the mower model number and the engine model number because parts can be tied to either one.
| What you find | Example for this mower | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number | 917373680 | Matches the correct Craftsman parts diagrams and hardware |
| Engine model number | 143.434332 | Matches engine-specific parts like ignition and carburetion items |
- Clean the area with a dry rag first; grass residue can hide digits.
- Take a photo and zoom in; worn labels are easier to read on a screen.
- Write the number exactly as shown (including dots or leading zeros).
- If the label is missing, use the parts list diagrams in the manual to confirm assemblies.
Using the correct model number prevents ordering the wrong blade adapter, drive parts, or handle hardware for your Craftsman mower. It also helps match engine parts correctly when the mower and engine use different numbering systems.
Last updated: February 2026





