Craftsman 917256711 tractor Parts

The Craftsman riding lawn tractor model 917256711 uses an MV18-PS58560 engine (the engine has its own separate model number on the blower housing). For operating and maintenance details specific to this tractor, use the owner's manual.

How to confirm the engine on your tractor

We recommend verifying the engine model number on the machine itself before ordering engine parts.

• Park on a flat surface, set the parking brake, and remove the key
• Let the engine cool completely
• Locate the engine model label on the blower housing
• Match the label to MV18-PS58560
• Use the tractor model plate under the seat to confirm 917256711

Why the engine model number matters

Tractor model numbers and engine model numbers are different. The tractor model (917256711) identifies the chassis, deck, steering, and drive system; the engine model (MV18-PS58560) identifies engine-specific parts like ignition, carburetion, and exhaust.

Quick reference

What you are identifying	Where to find it	What it’s used for
Tractor model number (917256711)	Model plate under the seat	Deck, steering, drive, electrical, chassis parts
Engine model number (MV18-PS58560)	Engine blower housing	Engine tune-up and engine repair parts

Related parts you might replace during ownership

If you are troubleshooting starting or drive issues on this model, these common tractor parts are often involved:

• Solenoid 532146154 (starter circuit clicking or no crank)
• Molded ignition key 532140403 (worn or missing key)
• Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294 (loss of forward/reverse drive)

Why it matters

Using the correct engine model number prevents ordering the wrong engine parts, and using the correct tractor model number ensures belts, pulleys, and steering components match your exact Craftsman chassis.

Last updated: February 2026

On the Craftsman 917256711 front-engine lawn tractor, the engine is made up of fuel, air, ignition, and mechanical components that work together to start, run, and deliver power to the drive system and mower deck. For the exact engine breakdown and maintenance points, use the owner's manual.

Main engine systems and common parts

Most riding mower engines (including the engine used on model 917256711) group into these systems:

• Fuel system: fuel tank, fuel line, fuel filter, carburetor
• Air intake: air filter, air screen, intake housing
• Ignition system: ignition switch, ignition coil, spark plug, flywheel
• Starting/charging: battery, starter motor, starter solenoid, wiring
• Lubrication/exhaust: oil fill and drain points, muffler
• Internal mechanical: crankcase, crankshaft, piston(s), valves, governor components

Parts you may replace during engine troubleshooting

If the engine clicks, cranks slowly, or will not crank, the starting circuit is a common place to focus. For this model, a frequently replaced component is the solenoid 532146154.

Other common service items to check first:

• Battery condition and cable connections (clean and tight)
• Fuse and wiring condition (no corrosion or broken connectors)
• Air filter condition (dirty filters cause hard starting and poor power)
• Fuel quality (stale fuel causes no-start and surging)
• Spark plug condition and plug wire fit

Quick symptom-to-system guide

Symptom	Most likely system to check first	Typical next step
Clicks but won’t crank	Starting/charging	Test battery, then solenoid and cables
Cranks but won’t start	Fuel or ignition	Check fuel flow, then spark plug/coil
Runs rough or lacks power	Air/fuel	Clean/replace air filter; check fuel filter
Backfires or surges	Fuel/valve adjustment	Inspect carburetor settings; check valves

Why it matters

Knowing which system a part belongs to helps you troubleshoot faster and avoid replacing the wrong components. The manual for 917256711 also ties symptoms to likely causes (battery, wiring, fuel filter, spark plug, carburetor adjustment), which is the quickest path to a reliable repair.

Last updated: February 2026

A Craftsman “6.75” walk-behind mower does not map to one single model number; “6.75” is an engine power label used across multiple models. For the Craftsman model page you’re on, the correct model number is 917.256711 (a front-engine lawn tractor); confirm your exact mower’s model from the ID tag and match it in the owner's manual.

Where to find the model number on a Craftsman mower

Look for a model/serial tag in one of these common spots:

• Rear of the deck near the discharge chute
• Under the seat (riding mowers and tractors)
• On the frame rail near the engine
• Near the handle mount on walk-behind mowers
• Inside the hood area on lawn tractors

How to tell “6.75” vs. the real model number

“6.75” is typically an engine rating label, not the equipment model identifier. Use this quick check:

Marking you see	What it usually means	What to use for parts/manuals
6.75	Engine power label	Use the mower/tractor model number
917.xxxxxx	Craftsman equipment model format	Use the full 917 number
Engine model/type/code	Engine identification	Use for engine-specific parts only

Why it matters

Parts lists, belts, blades, tires, and electrical items (like an ignition key or PTO switch) are matched by the equipment model number. Using only “6.75” often leads to the wrong deck size, drive system, or hardware.

If you’re trying to match parts for model 917.256711

For this Craftsman 917.256711 lawn tractor, common wear items shown for this model include:

• Riding lawn mower blade drive belt 532148763
• Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294
• Molded ignition key 532140403

Last updated: February 2026

Yes, it’s worth replacing the engine on your Craftsman 917256711 when the tractor is otherwise in solid shape (good transmission, deck, and frame) and you want to extend its service life; if multiple major systems are worn out, putting that money toward a different tractor is the better value. For model-specific service guidance and engine identification, use the 917256711 owner's manual.

Quick decision checklist

• The hydrostatic drive and transaxle operate smoothly (no slipping, whining, or loss of drive).
• The mower deck is structurally sound (no severe rust-through or cracked welds).
• Steering and front axle components are tight enough to track straight.
• You can source the parts you need for the repair (belts, pulleys, electrical).
• The engine failure is isolated (not paired with major electrical or fuel system deterioration).

What we use to judge “worth it”

Engine replacement makes sense when the repair restores reliable starting, power, and mowing performance without uncovering a second expensive problem.

Common “replace the engine” scenarios

Situation	Typical outcome	Recommendation
Catastrophic internal engine damage (thrown rod, no compression)	Rebuild cost is high	Replace engine if tractor is otherwise strong
Chronic hard-start/no-start tied to multiple worn systems	More parts add up fast	Fix starting system first, then decide
Tractor has significant deck/drive wear plus engine issues	Costs stack	Replace tractor instead

Lower-cost fixes to try first (often solve “bad engine” symptoms)

The troubleshooting steps in the manual focus on basics that frequently restore operation:

• Drain old fuel and refill with fresh gasoline.
• Replace the fuel filter.
• Clean or replace the air filter.
• Check oil level and change oil.
• Replace or regap the spark plug.
• Check wiring and battery terminals; recharge or replace the battery.

If the engine clicks but won’t crank, the starting circuit is a prime suspect; the manual points to checking the ignition switch and solenoid. The solenoid 532146154 is a common replacement when the battery is good but cranking is inconsistent.

Why it matters

A new engine only pays off if the rest of the Craftsman 917256711 can safely transmit that power (drive belt, pulleys, deck mandrels, and steering). Fixing the true root cause first prevents spending engine money on a tractor that still won’t start, drive, or cut well.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman model 917256711 was made across a production run, so the exact year depends on your tractor’s serial number. We use the serial number on the tractor’s ID tag to pinpoint the build date; the parts list in the 917256711 owner's manual confirms the model, but the serial is what identifies the specific year.

How to find the build year on your tractor

Look for the model and serial tag (commonly under the seat, on the frame near the rear fender, or near the engine compartment). Once you find the serial number, use the date code format shown in the manual/ID tag guidance for Craftsman-built tractors.

• Locate the model/serial label and write down the full serial number
• If the serial begins with a date-style code, the first digits typically represent month and day, followed by the year
• Compare what you see to the identification section in the 917256711 owner's manual
• If the label is damaged, clean it gently and use a flashlight to read stamped characters
• Keep the serial number with your maintenance records for future parts lookups

Quick guide: what you can confirm from the manual vs. the tag

Item	Where it’s confirmed	What it tells you
Model number (917256711)	917256711 owner's manual	Which parts diagrams and part numbers match your tractor
Serial number	Tractor ID tag	The specific production date and year
Component versions	Parts diagrams and installed parts	Whether your tractor has a specific steering, electrical, or deck configuration

Why it matters

Craftsman tractors often share similar model families across multiple years, but parts can change mid-run (especially electrical switches, belts, and steering components). Using the serial number prevents ordering the wrong ignition key, PTO switch, or drive belt for your exact build.

Parts that commonly vary by production run

If you are matching parts while you confirm the year, these are common “check-first” items:

• Switch 532158913 (ignition switch)
• Molded ignition key 532140403
• Solenoid 532146154
• Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294
• Riding lawn mower blade drive belt 532148763

Last updated: February 2026