Craftsman 917371740 lawn mower Parts

Craftsman model 917371740 is a model number (not a date code), so it does not directly tell you the year. To find the year, use the serial number from the decal on the rear of the mower housing and match it to the identification details in the owner's manual.

Where to find the date information

On Craftsman walk-behind mowers like 917371740, the model and serial numbers are listed on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing.

• Look for a sticker or metal tag on the rear of the deck housing
• Write down the serial number exactly as shown
• Record the date of purchase if you still have your receipt
• Use the manual’s identification section to confirm what the numbers represent
• If the decal is damaged, clean the area and use a flashlight at an angle to read it

Why “917371740” is not the year

The owner’s manual identifies 917.371740 as the mower’s model number, which is used to match the correct parts list and documentation. The manufacture date is tied to the serial number and purchase date, not the model number.

Quick reference: model number vs. serial number

Item	What it tells you	Where to find it
Model number (917371740)	Which mower you have; used for parts lookup	Rear housing decal; also shown on the manual cover
Serial number	Used to identify production details (including year)	Rear housing decal
Date of purchase	Helps narrow the year if serial info is unclear	Receipt or your records

Why it matters

Knowing the correct year helps you choose compatible replacement parts (for example, a correct lawn mower blade or blade adapter) and avoid ordering hardware that looks similar but fits differently.

Last updated: February 2026

For your Craftsman walk-behind mower, the model number is printed on the model/serial decal; on model 917371740, it’s located on the rear of the lawn mower housing. Use that exact model number when ordering parts or checking specifications in the owner's manual.

Where to find the model number on a Craftsman mower

On this mower style, the model and serial numbers are on a decal attached to the mower housing.

• Look at the rear of the mower deck/housing (behind the engine area)
• Wipe off grass and dirt so the decal is readable
• Record both the model number and serial number
• Keep the numbers with your maintenance records
• Use the model number when searching diagrams and repair parts

What the model number is used for

The model number narrows your parts list to the exact configuration (deck, handle hardware, blade system, and controls) so you get the right replacement parts.

You need	Use this	Example for this mower
Correct parts lookup	Model number	917371740
Exact build/version match	Serial number	From the rear-housing decal
Specs and maintenance info	Manual	Owner's manual

Why it matters

Many Craftsman walk-behind mowers look similar, but small differences affect fit. Using the rear-housing decal information helps ensure parts like the lawn mower blade 532406712 and walk-behind lawn mower engine cable 532176556 match correctly.

Last updated: February 2026

For the Craftsman lawn mower model 917371740, we recommend using regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Using 89 octane will not improve performance in normal mowing; the key is using fresh, clean fuel and avoiding higher-ethanol blends.

What to use (and what to avoid)

• Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane minimum).
• Buy only what you can use in about 30 days to keep fuel from going stale.
• Do not mix oil with gasoline.
• Avoid fuel with more than 10% ethanol (higher ethanol attracts moisture and can damage the fuel system during storage).
• Wipe up spilled fuel and keep gasoline away from open flames.

Quick comparison: 87 vs 89 octane

Fuel choice	Works in model 917371740?	When it helps	What matters more
87 octane (regular)	Yes (recommended)	Normal operation	Freshness, clean fuel, ethanol content
89 octane (mid-grade)	Yes	Rarely provides a benefit	Still needs to be fresh and low-ethanol

Storage tip (prevents hard starting later)

If the mower will sit 30 days or longer, we recommend emptying the fuel system:

• Empty the gas tank.
• Start the engine and let it run until it stops (carburetor and fuel lines run dry).
• Refill with fresh fuel next season.

Why it matters

Most “won’t start” and “runs rough” complaints on walk-behind mowers come from old fuel and ethanol-related moisture issues, not from using 87 instead of 89. Using the correct fuel helps protect the carburetor and keeps starting consistent.

For the exact fuel and capacity specs for your mower, check the owner's manual.

Last updated: February 2026

The model number is 917.371740; it’s printed on the mower’s model decal and shown on the cover of the owner's manual. On this Craftsman walk-behind mower, you’ll typically find the decal on the rear of the mower housing.

Where to find the model number on the mower

Look for a sticker or metal tag on the mower itself. Common locations include:

• Rear of the mower housing (most common for model 917.371740)
• Near the engine mounting area on the deck
• On or near the rear discharge door area
• Under the grass bag or behind the bag frame (if equipped)

Model number vs. engine model number (what’s the difference?)

Your mower has a Craftsman mower model number and a separate engine model number. The engine number helps with engine-specific parts, but the mower model number is what we use to match deck, handle, wheels, and bagging parts.

Item you’re checking	Example format	What it’s used for
Mower model number	917.371740	Finding the correct Craftsman mower parts list
Engine model number	10L802-1078-F1	Finding Briggs & Stratton engine-specific parts

Why it matters

Using the exact model number prevents ordering the wrong blade, control cable, or hardware. For example, parts like the lawn mower blade 532406712 and walk-behind lawn mower engine cable 532176556 are matched to the mower model and its specific deck and control setup.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems on the Craftsman 917371740 gas walk-behind mower include hard starting, loss of power, uneven cutting, excessive vibration, and a starter rope that’s hard to pull. We fix most of these by addressing fuel, airflow, blade condition, and grass buildup, then following the troubleshooting chart in the owner's manual.

Most common symptoms and what they usually mean

• Won’t start or starts then dies: stale fuel, dirty air filter, fouled spark plug, or a safety control not held correctly
• Loss of power: cutting height too low, heavy grass load, dirty air filter, or debris packed under the deck
• Uneven cut: wheel heights not set evenly, or a worn/bent/loose blade
• Excessive vibration: damaged blade, loose blade hardware, or a worn blade adapter
• Starter rope hard to pull: blade or deck obstruction, heavy grass packed under the housing, or blade/adapter issues

Quick checks we recommend first (fastest wins)

1. Set the engine speed to FAST for most cutting and bagging conditions.
2. Raise the cutting height if the mower bogs down in tall or thick grass.
3. Clean the underside of the mower housing (grass and debris buildup is a top cause of power loss and poor cut).
4. Check the oil level; overfilling can cause running problems.
5. Inspect the blade and mounting hardware; tighten as needed.

Parts that commonly solve cutting and vibration issues

If the mower is shaking, cutting poorly, or leaving an uneven finish, these model-matched parts are frequent fixes:

• Lawn mower blade 532406712
• Lawn mower blade adapter 581547901
• Lawn & garden equipment nut 532409149 (commonly used as a lock nut in blade and deck hardware)

Blade-related symptom guide

Symptom	Most likely area	Typical fix
Uneven cut	Wheels or blade	Set wheel heights evenly; replace blade
Vibration	Blade or adapter	Replace blade; inspect/replace adapter; tighten hardware
Loss of power in heavy grass	Deck load or airflow	Raise cut height; clean deck; clean/replace air filter

Why it matters

Running with a bent blade, loose blade bolt, or heavy grass buildup can reduce cut quality and strain the engine. Keeping the deck clean and the blade system tight helps the mower cut cleaner and last longer.

Last updated: February 2026