1996 and 1997 ..possibly more
the first six numbers on your serial number are a date
example: 112596 is November 25th 1996
The copyright date on the manual is 1/16/1997. Find on the back page and the manual at the link below.
I do not know what year my model 917.270930 lawn mower was built
1998
It was made in late 2001 for the 2002 model year
1980
It would probably be 2002-2004
The earliest year is 1954.
You can tell the year on a Craftsman by the first six digits of the serial number. They are in groups of two. First two digits are the month, second two digits are the day and the third two digits are the year. Apparently this dose not work for all Craftsman Mowers. My model #917.255520 Has a serial number of 1631S37112 meaning it was made on the 16th month and 31st day of the year 20S3... I think..??
Well I'm pretty sure they made one this year....
Your Craftsman GT3000 was manufactured in 2001.
1997
2006
2004