Craftsman Mower Blade Cross Reference by Number
2026-10-19 · 8 min read
Craftsman mower blades are built on shared MTD-family tooling, so many part numbers cross directly to Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and MTD decks. Match the stamped number with your deck width, centre hole and lift type — not the number alone — to find a replacement that actually seats on the spindle.
Why Craftsman blade numbers overlap with other brands
Craftsman numbers overlap because Sears sourced these decks from MTD, so the same 742- and 942-series blades fit Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and MTD machines. You can often read a Craftsman number straight off a Cub Cadet parts diagram because the tooling is identical. Our guide to matching a blade by OEM number explains the format before you order.
How Craftsman numbers its mower blades
Craftsman blade numbers follow the MTD house-code style: a three-digit prefix, a dash, and a suffix such as 742-0616 or 942-0741A. The prefix points to a deck-family tooling run rather than a specification, so two blades sharing a prefix can still differ in length and hole type. Recognising the style stops you quoting a rider number when you need a walk-behind blade.
| Number style | Typical deck | Example | What it signals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 742-XXXX | 21–46 in rider / zero-turn | 742-0616 | MTD-family, medium to high lift |
| 942-XXXX | 21–54 in rider / zero-turn | 942-0741A | MTD-family mulching and high lift |
| 138XXX / 422XXX | 42–48 in Husqvarna-family | 422719 | Shared with Husqvarna and Poulan |
| 405380 / 173920 | 42–54 in Husqvarna-family | 405380 | High-lift and mulching variants |
The digits are a house code, not a dimension. A 742-0616 and a 942-0741A describe different blades, so always pair the number with the deck size.
Where to find the Craftsman blade number
The number is stamped near the centre hole on the flat of the blade, but grass and rust hide it, so wire-brush the area first. If the blade is gone, the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute gives the machine model, which is enough to look the blade number up. The owner's manual and Sears parts diagrams both list the blade number by model.
Common Craftsman blade numbers and what they fit
The numbers below are real Craftsman public part-number styles, shown so you can recognise the format on your own blade. They are fitment reference only — we are an independent manufacturer and not an authorised Sears or Craftsman dealer.
- 742-0616 — a 42-inch mulching-high-lift blade used across many Craftsman riders.
- 942-0741A — a 21-inch mulching blade for walk-behind and small riders.
- 942-04308 — a 42-inch high-lift blade quoted by many Craftsman owners.
- 742-04361 — a 46-inch toothed-mulching blade in the MTD family.
- 422719 — a 42-inch mulching blade shared with Husqvarna and Poulan decks.
- 405380 — a 42–46 inch notched high-lift blade, also sold as a 46-inch mulcher.
- 187256 — a 48–54 inch high-lift and mulching blade for larger decks.
If your number is not in this short list, that is normal — Craftsman has issued many blade numbers across its model years. Send the exact stamping and your deck width and we will cross-reference it against the model index, which lists the profiles we keep for Craftsman-fit decks alongside other brands.
How to cross-reference without the original number
Cross-referencing without the old number is straightforward if you record four facts from the machine instead. Measure the old blade tip-to-tip, note the centre-hole type, caliper the thickness, and say which way the blade turns. With those four facts plus the deck width, a supplier can name the right profile even when the stamping is illegible. Our blade measuring guide shows exactly what to record before you write to a supplier.
What a correct Craftsman-fit replacement must match
A replacement is correct only when every mounting and cutting dimension lines up, because a close-enough blade vibrates, cuts unevenly or fails to seat. The table below is the checklist we use before quoting any Craftsman-fit blade.
| Spec | Why it matters | How to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | Seats the spindle and clears the deck | Measure tip to tip |
| Centre hole | Mounts on the mandrel | Match hole type exactly |
| Thickness | Load rating under impact | Caliper the old blade |
| Lift type | Decides cut result | Compare blade profile |
Length and hole type cause the most fitment failures, so double-check those two before anything else.
Are all 742-0616 blades interchangeable?
No — 742-0616-style blades are not interchangeable just because they share the number, because deck width and hole detail decide length and fit. A blade quoted for a 42-inch deck will not suit a 54-inch deck even when the number matches. Always confirm the deck size printed on the machine plate against the blade you intend to fit.
How Craftsman-fit blades are made to spec
Craftsman-fit blades we supply are made to match the original specifications of the OEM number you send, cut from 40Mn manganese steel and hardened to a 45–50 HRC band so the edge holds through grit yet will not crack on hidden stone. The same heat-treat control that decides working life is detailed on our quality page, which is the part of production that most affects how a blade performs under real mowing load. We are an independent manufacturer; brand names are used for fitment reference only.
Can you get custom Craftsman-fit blades made to a sample?
Yes — custom Craftsman-fit blades are made to a supplied sample or drawing, typically from 40Mn steel and held in the 45–50 HRC band we run across the catalogue. Share the old blade or its part number and we will confirm fitment, profile and run size. The minimum order for a custom profile is normally 300 pieces, which covers the setup and heat-treat run for a made-to-sample blade. Send your part number or a photo of the old blade to start, or browse the model index for stock shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Craftsman mower blade numbers the same as MTD?
Yes — many Craftsman numbers are identical to MTD numbers because Sears sourced these decks from MTD, so 742- and 942-series blades cross directly to Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and MTD. A number match still requires the same deck width and centre hole, so confirm those two before ordering.
Where is the blade number on a Craftsman mower?
The blade number is stamped near the centre hole on the flat of the blade, and on the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute. Wire-brush the area around the centre hole first, because grass and rust usually hide the stamping. If the plate is unreadable, the machine model and deck width are enough to look the number up.
Can I fit a non-Craftsman blade on my Craftsman mower?
Yes — you can fit an independent blade as long as the length, centre hole, thickness and lift match the original, because the mower cares about the geometry, not the brand on the box. We make Craftsman-fit blades made to match the original specifications and are an independent manufacturer, not an authorised dealer. Match the dimensions and the blade will seat and cut correctly.
How do I find my Craftsman blade number if the stamping is worn?
Wire-brush the flat near the centre hole, then read the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute if the blade is unreadable. With the machine model and deck width you can look the blade number up in Sears parts diagrams. Send us those details and we will cross-reference them against our model index.
What is the minimum order for custom Craftsman-fit blades?
The minimum order for a custom Craftsman-fit blade is typically 300 pieces per profile, which covers the setup and heat-treat run for a made-to-sample blade. Share the part number or a drawing and we will confirm fitment and quote the run before any cutting begins. Send your specifications to get a quote sized to your machine.
Not sure which Craftsman blade fits your deck, or want a custom profile made to a sample? Send us your part number or a photo of the old blade and we will confirm fitment and quote — or start from the model index.
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Blade part numbers linked to this article
The model pages below carry the deck size, centre hole, thickness and replacement numbers for the blades discussed above.