Owner’s manual
View engine
What year is Craftsman Model 917378940?
The Craftsman model number 917378940 does not contain the mower’s manufacture year. For this model, the year is typically identified from the product ID/serial number label on the mower (not the 917 prefix). Use the identification section in the owner's manual to locate the label and record the correct numbers.
On Craftsman walk-behind mowers like 917378940, the build date is tied to the product identification label, not the model number printed in the manual.
Check these common label locations:
- Rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Near the rear wheel height adjuster area
- On the handle support/bracket area
Once you locate the label, write down everything exactly as shown (letters and numbers). Then use these guidelines:
- Model number identifies the product family (yours is 917378940).
- Serial number/product number is what’s used to determine production details.
- Some labels include a date code; others require using the serial number format.
| What you see on the label | What it tells you | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Model: 917378940 | Model identification | Use it to match parts and diagrams |
| Serial/product number | Production tracking | Use it to determine the year |
| Date code (if present) | Often includes year info | Decode per the label format |
Knowing the correct year helps us match the right parts and revisions for your mower, especially for wear items like the premium blade 532406706 and the lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 33-9/16-in 532169778.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the best self-propelled mower for the money?
For the best value, we recommend choosing a self-propelled mower that matches your yard size and terrain first, then comparing durability items like the drive system, deck size, and parts support. Your Craftsman 917378940 is a 21-inch, power-propelled gas walk-behind mower; it is a strong “best for the money” choice when you want a proven gas platform with serviceable wear parts.
- Deck size and cut system: 21-inch decks are a practical value sweet spot for most lawns.
- Drive feel and control: A smooth drive control bar and predictable speed control reduce fatigue.
- Cut options: Mulch, bag, and side discharge flexibility adds value across seasons.
- Parts availability: Easy access to blades, belts, wheels, and controls keeps ownership cost down.
- Maintenance access: Simple oil checks, blade service, and cleaning points save time.
This model is designed around an operator presence control bar and a separate drive control bar for power-propelled motion. Forward motion stops when you release the drive control bar (or the operator presence control bar), which is a practical setup for everyday mowing and maneuvering.
| What you care about | What to check | Why it affects value |
|---|---|---|
| Hills and traction | Wheel condition, drive engagement, belt wear | Prevents slipping and “won’t move” complaints |
| Mulching performance | Blade condition and sharpness | Cleaner cut, fewer clumps |
| Ongoing cost | Common wear parts pricing | Lowers total cost of ownership |
Even the best value mower feels “cheap” if wear parts are neglected. For this model, the most common value-boosting replacements are:
- A sharp, correct-fit blade such as the premium blade 532406706
- A fresh drive belt such as the lawn mower ground drive belt 532169778
- A solid wheel if traction or rolling is poor, such as the lawn mower wheel 582976701
“Best for the money” is usually the mower that keeps cutting reliably with minimal downtime. A mower with readily available parts and straightforward controls typically delivers the lowest cost per season, especially for weekly mowing.
For operating and control details specific to this mower, use the owner's manual.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917378940?
The model number for this Craftsman gas walk-behind lawn mower is 917.378940 (often written without the dot as 917378940). You can confirm the exact formatting on the mower’s model tag and on the cover page of the owner's manual.
We typically see the model number in one of these places:
- On a label or plate on the rear of the deck near the discharge opening
- On the deck housing near the engine mounting area
- On the handle support area (near where the handle bolts to the deck)
- Printed on the cover page of the manual
Both formats refer to the same mower model; the dot is a common formatting style used in manuals and diagrams.
| You might see it as | What it means | Where it’s common |
|---|---|---|
| 917.378940 | Same model number | Owner’s manual, parts diagrams |
| 917378940 | Same model number | Search fields, model tags |
Using the exact model number helps us match the correct parts diagrams and avoid ordering the wrong blade, belt, or drive components.
Common parts that depend on the correct model match include:
- Premium blade 532406706 (blade fit and deck compatibility)
- Lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 33-9/16-in 532169778 (self-propel drive belt length and width)
- Lawn mower drive control 532189182 (drive control assembly fit)
A single digit difference in a Craftsman model number can change the deck, drive system, or handle hardware; confirming 917378940 keeps part selection accurate.
Last updated: February 2026
How much does it cost to repair a hydrostatic transmission on a lawn mower?
Hydrostatic transmission repair is mainly a riding-mower expense; Craftsman model 917378940 is a gas walk-behind mower that typically uses a belt-driven self-propel system instead. For riding mowers with hydrostatic drives, expect $200 to $600 for service-level work and $1,300 to $2,500 for a full transmission replacement. Confirm your drive setup in the 917378940 owner's manual.
Shop rates and parts pricing vary, but these ranges set expectations.
| Repair type | Most common on | Typical cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Self-propel drive belt replacement | Walk-behind self-propel | $75 to $200 |
| Pulley, cable, or drive control repair | Walk-behind self-propel | $100 to $300 |
| Hydrostatic transmission service | Riding mower | $200 to $600 |
| Hydrostatic transmission replacement | Riding mower | $1,300 to $2,500 |
Most “no drive” complaints on walk-behind mowers come from wear or adjustment issues in the motion-drive system.
- Inspect the drive belt for glazing, cracking, or looseness
- Make sure the drive control engages fully and returns freely
- Check pulleys for wobble, binding, or debris
- Look for worn wheel drive components (pawls/gears) or a damaged wheel
- Clean packed grass from under the deck (disconnect the spark plug wire first)
A common self-propel wear item is the lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 33-9/16-in 532169778.
Hydrostatic transmission replacement can cost enough to change the repair-versus-replace decision on a riding mower. On a walk-behind mower like 917378940, correctly diagnosing a belt-drive issue usually keeps the repair far more affordable.
Last updated: February 2026
