Craftsman 917273860 tractor Parts

Yes, it’s worth replacing the engine on your Craftsman 917273860 front-engine lawn tractor when the tractor is otherwise in good shape and the total repair cost stays well below the price of a comparable replacement mower. If the tractor also has major drive, deck, or steering wear, putting that money toward a different machine is the better value.

Quick way to decide

Use these checkpoints before you commit to an engine swap:

• Compare the engine replacement total (engine, labor, tune-up parts) to the tractor’s current value; if repairs approach about half the value, replacement is the smarter buy.
• Check for other big-ticket problems: loss of drive, excessive vibration, or chronic starting issues beyond the engine itself.
• Inspect the mower deck condition (rust-through, cracks, bent spindles/mandrels) and blade hardware.
• Confirm the safety interlock system and brake operation are working correctly.
• Consider how many hours you mow each season and whether you need higher reliability now.

What to inspect first (often cheaper than an engine)

Many “bad engine” symptoms are caused by maintenance items the manual calls out, especially fuel, ignition, cooling, and airflow.

• Dirty air filter
• Bad spark plug
• Dirty or clogged in-line fuel filter (replace once each season)
• Stale fuel or water in fuel
• Overheating from blocked grass screen or dirty cooling fins
• Weak battery, corroded terminals, or loose wiring causing no-crank complaints

For model-specific maintenance intervals and safety steps, use the owner's manual.

Cost and value comparison

Situation	Typical recommendation	Why
Tractor is solid; engine is the only major failure	Replace engine	You keep a known-good deck, chassis, and controls
Engine plus drive or deck problems	Replace tractor	Multiple major repairs stack up fast
Hard starting or power loss with dirty fuel/air/cooling	Repair and tune up	Common fixes restore performance at low cost

Why it matters

An engine replacement is a “reset” on power, but it does not fix worn deck components, belts, or safety issues. Doing a quick condition check first prevents spending engine money on a tractor that still won’t cut well or drive reliably.

Last updated: February 2026

The Craftsman riding lawn tractor model 917.273860 is identified in the owner's manual, but the manual does not list a single “model year.” For the exact year your tractor was built, use the serial number on the tractor’s ID tag; the serial/date code on that tag indicates the manufacture date.

How to find the manufacture year on your tractor

Look for the model and serial number label in common locations for Craftsman tractors:

• Under the seat (often on the fender pan or seat bracket area)
• On the rear frame near the hitch plate
• On the left or right side of the frame rail
• Under the hood near the dash tower (less common)

Once you find the tag:

• Confirm the model reads 917.273860
• Write down the full serial number exactly as shown
• Use the serial/date code format shown on the tag to determine the build date

Why the “year” is not printed as a single value

Craftsman tractors are typically sold by model number and configuration (engine, deck size, transmission), and the same model number can be produced across more than one production run. The serial number is what ties your specific tractor to a specific build date.

Quick ID checklist (what should match this model)

Your Craftsman 917.273860 owner documentation indicates these key identifiers:

Item	What to look for
Model number	917.273860
Mower deck size	42-inch deck
Engine rating (as listed in manual)	20.0 HP
Starting system	Electric start
Drive type	Automatic transmission

Why it matters

Knowing the exact manufacture year helps us match the right parts and diagrams for your tractor, especially for items that change over time such as blades, belts, mandrel assemblies, and electrical parts.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors use engines from several manufacturers, depending on the specific model and production run. For Craftsman model 917.273860, the owner’s documentation identifies it as a mowemission-type engine, but the engine brand is best confirmed by the engine ID label and the specifications section in the owner's manual.

How to identify the engine brand on a Craftsman 917.273860

Use these quick checks to confirm what you have on your tractor:

• Look for the engine ID sticker or metal tag on the blower housing, valve cover, or near the starter.
• Record the engine model, type, and code (or spec number).
• Check the Product Specifications section in the owner's manual.
• Match the engine label to common brand formats (Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki).
• Use the engine model information when ordering tune-up and maintenance parts.

Common engine brands used on Craftsman lawn tractors

Craftsman has commonly used these engine brands across many lawn tractor lines:

Engine brand	Where you’ll usually see it	What to look for on the label
Briggs & Stratton	Many Craftsman lawn tractors	Model-Type-Code format
Kohler	Some mid to higher HP tractors	Model and spec number
Kawasaki	Select models	Model and serial number

Why it matters

The engine brand determines the correct maintenance items and service procedures (oil type, spark plug, air filter, and tune-up intervals). It also helps when diagnosing starting problems, such as clicking/no-crank or cranks/no-start conditions.

Related troubleshooting that often gets mistaken for an “engine brand” issue

If the tractor won’t crank or won’t start, the problem is often electrical or fuel-related rather than the engine manufacturer:

• Weak battery or poor cable connections
• Faulty starter solenoid (a common click-no-crank cause)
• Safety interlock switch issue (brake, seat, PTO)
• Old fuel or clogged fuel system
• Worn ignition key or switch

If you’re chasing a click-no-crank symptom, our riding lawn mower engine clicks but doesnt turn over video is a solid step-by-step starting point.

Last updated: February 2026

The model number is 917.273860; it’s the Craftsman front-engine lawn tractor model shown on the ID label and on the cover pages of the owner's manual.

Where to confirm the model number on the tractor

We recommend matching the model number in at least two places so you order the correct parts.

• Check the tractor’s model/serial number label (often under the seat or on the frame)
• Match the number format exactly (including the dot: 917.273860)
• Compare it to the model number printed in the manual
• Use the model number when searching parts diagrams and lists

Why this matters for parts fit

Craftsman model numbers can look similar across different mower types (walk-behind vs riding tractor). Using the exact model number ensures blades, belts, and deck parts match your 42-inch mower deck setup.

Examples of model-specific parts on this tractor

Part type	Example part for model 917.273860	What it affects
Mulching blade	Husqvarna lawn tractor mulching blade 532134149	Cut quality and mulching performance
High-lift blade	Lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971	Bagging and side discharge airflow
Ground drive belt	Lawn tractor ground drive belt 532140294	Forward/reverse drive operation

Quick tip if your current answer shows a different model

If you’re seeing 917377911, that is a different Craftsman mower model (a walk-behind mower), not this riding tractor. For this page and tractor, use 917.273860.

Last updated: February 2026