Craftsman 917258555 tractor Parts

To estimate the age of your Craftsman tractor model 917258555, we use the product’s date code (when present) to identify the build date, then compare it to today’s date. The exact location and format of the date code for your tractor is shown in the 917258555 owner's manual.

How to find the build date on a Craftsman tractor

On many Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors, the date code is printed on a label and can be read as MMDDYY (month, day, year). Once you find the code, convert it to a calendar date.

Common places to check:

• Under the seat pan or on the seat bracket
• On the frame near the rear wheels
• Under the hood near the engine area
• Near the steering column or dash tower
• On the mower deck shell (less common)

Quick date-code examples (MMDDYY)

If your label uses the MMDDYY format, here is how it reads:

Date code	Interprets as	What it means
072811	July 28, 2011	Built on 07/28/2011
031506	March 15, 2006	Built on 03/15/2006
112019	November 20, 2019	Built on 11/20/2019

How to calculate “how old” it is

Once you have the build date:

• If you want the age in years, compare the build year to the current year.
• If you want a more exact age, count from the build date to today.

As of February 6, 2026, a tractor built on July 28, 2011 is about 14 years and 6 months old.

Why it matters

Knowing the build date helps us match the right replacement parts and maintenance items (like blades, belts, and deck components) to your exact configuration, especially when a model has mid-year production changes.

If you are ordering parts, you can shop the parts list for model 917258555 on this page, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

The most common issues we see on the Craftsman 917258555 front-engine lawn tractor involve the mower deck drive system (belt, idlers, mandrels), uneven cutting from worn deck components, and starting or safety-interlock problems. Use the 917258555 owner's manual for operating checks and maintenance intervals.

Most common symptoms and what they usually point to

• Deck blades will not engage or slip: worn or stretched drive belt, weak idler spring, seized idler pulley
• Loud squeal, rumble, or vibration from the deck: failing mandrel bearings or a damaged mandrel assembly
• Uneven cut or scalping: bent blade, worn gauge wheel/brackets, deck out of level
• Tractor will not crank: safety switch issue (seat switch, brake/clutch switch), ignition switch problem
• Poor steering control: worn steering linkage or sector gear

Parts that commonly fix these problems (when symptoms match)

If your symptoms match, these model-compatible parts are common repairs:

• Lawn tractor drive belt 532144200 for slipping or non-engaging deck drive
• Lawn tractor blade idler pulley 532139245 for squeal and belt tracking issues
• Husqvarna lawn tractor idler arm return spring 532105709 for weak belt tension
• Husqvarna lawn tractor mandrel assembly 532130794 for grinding noise or blade wobble
• Lawn tractor ignition switch 532140301 or lawn tractor seat switch 532421062 for no-crank safety circuit problems

Quick checks we recommend before replacing parts

1. Park on level ground, set the parking brake, remove the key, and disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Inspect the deck belt for glazing, cracks, or slack; confirm it is routed correctly.
3. Spin each idler pulley by hand; it should turn smoothly with no wobble.
4. Grab each blade tip (with gloves) and check for side-to-side play that suggests a worn mandrel.
5. For no-crank issues, confirm you are seated, brake is fully pressed, and PTO is off; then inspect switch connectors for looseness.

Symptom-to-part cheat sheet

Symptom	Most likely area	Common part examples on this model
Blades do not engage	Belt tension/drive	Drive belt, idler pulley, return spring
Deck noise/vibration	Spindles/mandrels	Mandrel assembly, mandrel pulley
No crank	Safety/ignition	Seat switch, ignition switch
Wandering steering	Linkage/gears	Drag link, sector gear

Why it matters

Catching belt, idler, and mandrel wear early prevents repeated belt failures, protects the deck, and keeps cut quality consistent. Electrical safety-switch issues also prevent unexpected no-start situations.

Last updated: March 2026

For the Craftsman 42-inch riding mower shown on this page, the tractor model number is 917258555. You can also confirm it on the model plate under the seat; the engine has a separate model number on the blower housing (see the owner's manual).

Where to find the model number on the tractor

We use the tractor model number to match the correct parts diagrams and replacement parts.

• Lift the seat and look for the model plate under the seat
• Write down the full tractor model number exactly as shown: 917258555
• Check the engine model number separately on the engine blower housing
• Use the tractor model number (not the engine number) for deck, steering, wheels, and lift parts
• Use the engine model number for engine-specific parts (filters, carburetor items, ignition parts)

Tractor model number vs. engine model number (quick comparison)

Item you are identifying	Where it’s located	What it’s used for
Tractor model number (917258555)	Under the seat	Matching mower deck, belts, lift, steering, wheels, decals
Engine model number	On the blower housing	Matching engine-specific tune-up and fuel/ignition parts

Why it matters

Using the correct model number prevents ordering the wrong deck parts for a 42-inch setup, such as a blade, mandrel, or belt. For example, common 42-inch deck items for this model include the husqvarna lawn tractor mulching blade, 21-in 532134149 and the lawn tractor drive belt 532144200.

Ordering parts

We recommend ordering replacement parts from the parts list for model 917258555 on this page; you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect if you are working on another Craftsman tractor.

Last updated: February 2026