Owner’s manual
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How much oil does a Craftsman 917370733 take?
The Craftsman lawn mower model 917370733 takes 20 oz of engine oil. For most mowing conditions, we use SAE 30 oil and keep the level at the full mark on the dipstick (do not overfill); see the 917370733 owner's manual for the exact fill and checking procedure.
Quick fill checklist (best practice)
- Park the mower on a level surface and let the engine cool.
- Clean around the oil fill/dipstick so debris does not fall into the crankcase.
- Add oil slowly, stopping short of 20 oz, then recheck the dipstick.
- Tighten the dipstick/fill cap fully before reading the level.
- Top off to the full mark; do not exceed it.
- Wipe up spills before starting the engine.
Oil type and capacity at a glance
| Item | Spec for Craftsman 917370733 |
|---|---|
| Oil capacity | 20 oz |
| Common oil type | SAE 30 |
| When to check | Before each use and after adding oil |
Why it matters
Running low on oil can cause rapid engine wear, and overfilling can lead to smoking, fouled spark plug symptoms, and messy oil blow-by. Hitting the correct 20 oz capacity helps the engine lubricate properly and start easier.
Related maintenance tip
If you are doing seasonal maintenance, we follow the storage steps in the 917370733 owner's manual and pair them with a fuel stabilizer routine like how to winterize a lawn mower.
Last updated: February 2026
How to look up Craftsman model number?
To look up the model number for your Craftsman mower, find the model and serial number label on the mower and copy the model number exactly as printed (for this unit, it’s 917370733). Then use that full model number to match the correct parts list and diagrams in the 917370733 owner's manual.
Where to find the model number on a walk-behind mower
On Craftsman walk-behind mowers like model 917370733, the ID label is typically on the mower deck or near the rear of the deck around the handle mounting area.
Check these common spots:
- Top of the mower deck, near the engine mounting area
- Rear of the deck, behind the engine and below the handle brackets
- Side of the deck near the height adjuster area
- Near the bagger or discharge door area
How to use the model number to look up parts
Once you have the model number, use it to confirm you are selecting parts that match the exact build of your mower.
Use this checklist:
- Write the model number exactly (include all digits)
- Record the serial number too (helps when there are production changes)
- Use the model number to match the illustrated parts diagrams
- Confirm the part description matches what you’re replacing
- Replace fasteners you remove if they are worn (for example, a lock nut 532409149)
Model number vs. serial number (quick guide)
| What you found | What it’s used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | Identifies the correct parts diagrams and assemblies | 917370733 |
| Serial number | Identifies production run details and revisions | Varies by unit |
Why it matters
Craftsman mower parts are model-specific; using the exact model number helps ensure the blade adapter, drive control, wheels, and hardware you order fit correctly and install without modification.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems we see on the Craftsman 917370733 gas walk-behind mower include no-start conditions (fuel, spark, or safety control issues), loss of power from airflow or deck buildup, uneven cutting from blade or height problems, excessive vibration, and a starter rope that is hard to pull. Use the troubleshooting chart in the Craftsman 917370733 owner's manual to match symptoms to the fastest fix.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Won’t start: dirty air filter, out of fuel, stale fuel, water in fuel, spark plug wire off, bad spark plug, or the control bar not held to the handle
- Loss of power: dirty air filter, cutting too much grass, grass buildup under the deck, or too much oil in the engine
- Poor cut or uneven cut: worn or bent blade, uneven wheel height settings, or debris packed under the mower
- Excessive vibration: loose blade hardware, damaged blade, broken blade adapter, or bent crankshaft
- Starter rope hard to pull: brake engaged when the control bar is released, blade dragging in grass, or a damaged blade adapter
Quick checks we recommend first (safe and fast)
- Disconnect the spark plug wire before inspecting the blade area.
- Confirm fresh gasoline and a clean air filter.
- Verify the control bar is fully depressed to the handle during starting.
- Check for grass and debris buildup under the deck.
- Inspect the blade and blade mounting for looseness or damage.
Parts that commonly get involved
These are typical wear or hardware items that come up during cutting and vibration complaints:
| Symptom | What to inspect | Example part from this model page |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration or clunking | Blade mounting hardware | Lock nut 532409149 |
| Uneven cut | Wheel height setting consistency | Lawn mower height adjuster knob 532701037 |
| Hard to push or wheel wobble | Wheel area contamination | Lawn mower wheel dust cover 581840401 |
Why it matters
Catching these issues early protects the engine and deck, improves cut quality, and prevents damage from running with a loose blade or heavy grass buildup.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917370733?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind gas lawn mower is 917.370733 (often written without the dot as 917370733). You can confirm it on the model tag and in the 917370733 owner's manual.
Where to find the model number on the mower
Check these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:
- On the rear of the deck near the discharge chute door
- On the side of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Near the handle mounting brackets
- On a sticker or metal plate with the serial number
Why the dot matters (917.370733 vs 917370733)
Both formats refer to the same mower; the dot is a formatting style used on some labels and manuals.
| You might see it as | What it means | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| 917.370733 | Same model number | Owner’s manual, parts diagrams |
| 917370733 | Same model number | Online parts lookup, ordering |
Tips for ordering the right parts
Using the exact model number helps match the correct diagrams and hardware for your mower.
- Match the model number first, then verify the part in the diagram
- Replace fasteners with the correct type and size (for example, a lock nut 532409149)
- If you’re working on the drive system, confirm the exact drive-control parts list in the manual
- Keep the serial number handy in case there are production variations
Why it matters
Craftsman model numbers can look similar across different mower series. Using 917.370733 ensures you get the correct walk-behind mower parts, maintenance specs, and assembly details for your exact unit.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 917370733?
The model number for this Craftsman walk-behind mower is 917.370733 (often written without the dot as 917370733). You can confirm it on the model tag and in the 917370733 owner's manual.
Where to find the model number on the mower
Check these common locations on Craftsman walk-behind mowers:
- On the rear of the deck near the discharge chute
- On the top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- Near the handle mounting brackets
- On a label close to the height adjuster area
- Inside the rear door area (if equipped)
Why the dot matters (917.370733 vs 917370733)
Both formats refer to the same mower; the dot is a formatting style used in some manuals and parts lists.
| You might see it as | What it means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 917.370733 | Manual and illustrated parts list format | Verifying the exact model in documentation |
| 917370733 | Website and ordering format | Searching parts and ordering online |
What to do if your label is hard to read
If the model tag is worn, use the manual diagrams and parts list to cross-check key assemblies.
- Match your handle and deck style to the illustrated parts breakdown
- Compare drive-control and wheel hardware to what you see on the mower
- Use a known part to confirm fit, such as the molded ignition key 532180331 or lawn mower key start switch and key 532194953
Why it matters
Using the exact model number 917370733 helps ensure the right Craftsman parts fit your mower, especially for drive components, handle hardware, and blade-related parts.
Last updated: February 2026
What year is a Craftsman 917370733?
The Craftsman walk-behind mower model 917.370733 is not tied to a single “model year”; this model number identifies a specific 6.75 HP, 21-inch rotary mower configuration, and the exact build date is typically confirmed from the product ID label on the mower (then cross-checked in the 917370733 owner's manual).
How to find the exact year on your mower
We use the mower’s identification label to determine the manufacturing date for a specific unit.
- Look for the model and serial label on the mower deck, usually near the rear wheels or under/behind the handle mounting area
- Write down the serial number exactly as shown (letters and numbers)
- Compare the model number on the label to 917.370733 to confirm you are matching the correct unit
- Use the serial number to determine the build date format used for that production run
- Keep the label info with your maintenance records for parts lookups and tune-ups
Why the “year” matters for parts
Even when the model number matches, running changes can affect which blade, drive parts, or hardware fit your mower.
| What you’re doing | Why the year/build date helps | Example parts it can affect |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering replacement parts | Confirms the correct revision of the mower | Drive control, wheels, pulleys |
| Troubleshooting drive issues | Helps match the right diagrams and adjustments | Belt routing, idler setup |
| Maintenance planning | Aligns service intervals with correct specs | Oil type, blade service |
Quick model confirmation from the manual
From the manual for this Craftsman rotary lawn mower, we can confirm these identifiers for 917.370733:
- Rotary lawn mower, power-propelled
- 6.75 horsepower engine class
- 21-inch multi-cut deck
- Craftsman model number 917.370733
Helpful next steps
If you are trying to date the mower because of a symptom or repair, these guides help narrow the problem fast:
- How to tune up a lawn mower video
- How to keep lawn mower gas from going bad
- Lawn mower wont start troubleshooting video fuel ignition and compression
Why it matters
Getting the build date right prevents wrong-part returns and speeds up repairs, especially for drive system parts like the drive control, idler pulley, and wheel hardware.
Last updated: February 2026
