Craftsman 917276230 tractor Parts

To tell how old your Craftsman mower is, we use the date code on the tractor (usually on a product label) and decode it into a build date. For Craftsman model 917276230, your 917276230 owner's manual helps you confirm where the identification labels are located.

Where to look for the date code

On riding lawn tractors like the Craftsman 917276230, the date code is typically found on a sticker or stamped tag. Check these common spots:

• Under the seat pan or on the seat support area
• On the frame near the rear wheels
• Under the hood near the engine compartment
• Near the steering column or dash tower
• On or near the transaxle area

How to decode the date code (common Craftsman format)

Many Craftsman riding mower date codes use a 6-digit pattern that reads as MMDDYY.

• First 2 digits: month (MM)
• Next 2 digits: day (DD)
• Last 2 digits: year (YY)

Example

If the code is 072811, that decodes to July 28, 2011.

Code	Meaning	Build date
072811	07=month, 28=day, 11=year	July 28, 2011
031905	03=month, 19=day, 05=year	March 19, 2005

If you cannot find a clear date code

If the label is worn or missing, we use other identifiers to narrow it down:

• Model number (for you: 917276230)
• Product number or serial number (often on the same label)
• Engine model and type (on the engine shroud label)
• Original purchase paperwork (best for warranty timing)

Why it matters

Knowing the build date helps us match the correct Craftsman parts and diagrams, especially for wear items like belts, deck hardware, and PTO-related components such as the switch.pto 582107601.

Last updated: February 2026

Yes, it’s worth replacing the engine on your Craftsman 917276230 front-engine lawn tractor when the tractor chassis and mower deck are solid and you can keep the total repair cost under about half the price of a comparable new rider; otherwise, replacing the tractor is the better value.

Quick decision checklist

• The deck is not rusted through and the spindles turn smoothly.
• The transmission and steering feel normal (no slipping, binding, or severe play).
• You can do the work yourself or have a shop you trust.
• You maintain it well (clean cooling fins, keep debris off hot engine parts).
• The tractor still meets your needs for cut width, traction, and attachments.

Cost and value guide

Use this as a practical way to decide.

Option	Best when	Typical outcome
Replace engine	Deck, frame, and driveline are in good shape	Extends tractor life significantly
Rebuild or short block	You want lower parts cost and accept more labor	Can be cost-effective, more downtime
Replace tractor	Multiple major systems are worn	Best long-term reliability per dollar

What to inspect before you commit

We recommend checking these items first because they often decide whether an engine swap makes sense.

• Deck and spindle area: look for cracks, heavy rust, and wobble at the mandrels; a worn spindle setup can add cost quickly (see lawn tractor mandrel housing 587819701).
• Blade and mandrel condition: bent blades or damaged mandrels can cause vibration and premature wear.
• Cooling and fire-safety condition: the manual stresses keeping grass and debris off hot exhaust and engine parts, and keeping cooling fins and shrouds clean to prevent overheating.
• Fasteners and safety devices: keep nuts/bolts tight and safety interlocks working as designed.

Why it matters

An engine replacement only pays off when the rest of the Craftsman 917276230 is safe and mechanically sound; otherwise you can end up chasing additional repairs (deck vibration, belt issues, electrical problems) after the new engine is installed.

Where to confirm model-specific specs

For the correct maintenance intervals, safety guidance, and operating details (including cooling system cleaning and blade service torque), use the 917276230 owner's manual.

Last updated: February 2026

On the Craftsman 917276230 front-engine lawn tractor, the engine is made up of core mechanical parts (crankshaft and short block), plus supporting systems for fuel, ignition/electrical, starting, lubrication, intake, and exhaust. Your 917276230 owner's manual shows the Kohler CV730-0029 engine breakdown by system.

Main engine systems (what you will see in the manual diagrams)

These are the major engine groups called out for this model’s Kohler engine:

• Fuel system: carburetor kit, fuel line, gaskets, mounting studs and nuts
• Ignition/electrical: flywheel, stator kit, rectifier-regulator, spark plugs, wiring connectors
• Starting system: starter (solenoid shift), solenoid kit, pinion drive kit, brush kit
• Oil pan and lubrication: oil pan area and related fasteners (supports engine lubrication)
• Air intake and cooling: grass screen kit, fan, blower housing and baffles
• Exhaust: exhaust gasket, studs (connects engine to muffler/exhaust path)
• Crankshaft and internal engine: crankshaft and the engine block assembly (often listed as short block)

Quick reference: system to part examples

Engine area	Example parts listed for this model’s engine	What it does
Ignition/electrical	Spark plug, flywheel, rectifier-regulator, stator kit	Creates spark and charges the battery while running
Starting	Starter, solenoid kit, pinion drive kit	Cranks the engine to start
Fuel	Carburetor kit, fuel line, carburetor gaskets	Mixes fuel and air and delivers it to the engine
Exhaust	Exhaust gasket, exhaust studs	Seals and mounts the exhaust connection

Related tractor controls (not engine internals, but often confused as “engine parts”)

On 917276230, several dash and pedal controls directly affect engine operation:

• Throttle control (engine speed)
• Choke control (cold starting)
• Ignition switch (start/stop)
• Clutch/brake pedal (starting interlock and stopping)
• Attachment clutch switch (PTO control for mower deck)

Why it matters

Knowing the system helps you troubleshoot faster. For example, a no-crank problem points to the starting system and safety interlocks, while a crank-no-start problem points to fuel delivery, ignition, or choke/throttle setup.

Last updated: February 2026

The Craftsman riding mower model 917276230 uses a 25.0 HP low-emission engine (as specified in the model’s documentation). For the most accurate engine details for your exact tractor, match the engine ID label on the engine to the specifications in the 917276230 owner's manual.

How to identify the exact engine on your 917276230

Even within the same tractor model, the engine’s manufacturer and model code are confirmed by the engine’s ID tag (usually on the blower housing, valve cover, or near the starter).

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and remove the ignition key.
• Let the engine cool completely before touching shrouds or exhaust parts.
• Locate the engine ID label (model, type, code or spec numbers).
• Write down the full ID exactly as shown.
• Compare that ID to the engine section in the manual and to the parts diagrams for your tractor.

What we can confirm from the manual

The owner’s manual for model 917276230 identifies this tractor as a 25.0 HP, 54-inch mower configuration.

Item	What to use	Where to find it
Tractor model	917276230	Tractor frame tag and manual cover
Engine rating	25.0 HP	Manual specifications section
Exact engine make/model	Engine ID label	On the engine itself

Why it matters

Using the engine ID (not just the tractor model) helps you get the right tune-up parts and service specs, especially for items like spark plugs, air filters, fuel system parts, and carburetor adjustments.

If you are troubleshooting a no-start or no-crank condition, the starting and safety system checks in the 917276230 owner's manual are the best first step.

Last updated: February 2026

For Craftsman lawn tractor model 917276230, we use engine oil matched to the outdoor temperature; the tractor ships from the factory filled with summer-weight oil, and you switch to a lighter viscosity for cold-weather starting. For the exact viscosity chart and oil-change interval, use the 917276230 owner's manual.

Quick oil selection guide (by temperature)

Use this as a practical starting point, then confirm the exact viscosity chart in the manual.

• Warm weather mowing (typical summer use): use a summer-weight small-engine oil
• Cold weather operation: change to a lighter viscosity oil for easier starting
• Mixed seasons: choose an oil that covers your expected temperature range
• Always check level on flat ground before each use
• Do not overfill; fill only to the dipstick “FULL” mark

Your conditions	What to do	Why
Mostly warm temps	Stay with summer-weight oil	Best protection at higher operating temps
Near-freezing starts	Switch to lighter viscosity	Faster cranking and easier starting
Unsure of temps	Follow the manual’s viscosity chart	Prevents hard starts and excess wear

How to check oil level correctly (917276230)

We recommend following the same steps used in the manual:

• Park the tractor on level ground
• Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe it clean
• Reinsert the dipstick and rest the cap on the tube (do not thread it in)
• Pull it back out and read the level
• Add oil only until it reaches FULL (never above)

Why it matters

Correct oil viscosity and level protect the engine from accelerated wear, reduce smoking and fouling, and help the starter spin the engine fast enough to fire, especially in colder weather.

Last updated: February 2026

For this Sears PartsDirect page, your Craftsman riding mower model is 917.276230 (often written without the dot as 917276230). On the tractor itself, the model number is printed on the product identification label; confirm the exact characters using the 917276230 owner's manual.

Where to find the model number on the tractor

Most Craftsman riding mowers and garden tractors place the product identification label in an easy-to-check spot. Use these quick checks:

• Flip the seat forward and look for a label under the seat area
• Check the frame near the seat pan or rear fender area
• Wipe off grass and oil film; labels can be hard to read when dirty
• Write down the full model number exactly as shown (including any dots)
• Record the serial number too; it helps match the correct parts list

What the model number tells you (and why it matters)

The model number is what we use to match the correct parts diagrams and maintenance specs for your tractor, including deck components, steering parts, and drive system items.

Common examples for this model

What you need	Example for this tractor	Used for
Model number	917.276230 (917276230)	Finding the correct parts and manual
Product type	Front-engine lawn tractor	Choosing the right repair procedure
Deck size (from manual cover)	54-inch mower deck	Matching blades, mandrels, and deck hardware

Quick parts-matching tip

Once you confirm the model number, match parts by the diagram callout and description in the manual and parts list. For example, the mower deck section lists a mandrel housing used on this tractor; a common match is the lawn tractor mandrel housing 587819701.

Why it matters

Using the exact model number prevents ordering the wrong blade, belt, mandrel, or PTO-related part. Even small differences in deck design or hardware can change the correct part number.

Last updated: February 2026