Lawn Tractor · 1986Unverified
John Deere 185
John Deere 185 — Late 100 Lawn Series · 17 hp. Reference specifications; pending source verification.
Provisional listing — the headline figure is shown; full specifications are auto-generated and pending verification against published sources.
Rated power
17 hp
Weight
625 to 645 pounds
Hover a source tag to verify
Overview
ManufacturerJohn DeereReference
Lawn tractorReference
Built in Horicon, Wisconsin, USAReference
Original price$3,900 (1990 38-inch )Reference
Original price$4,100 (1990 42-inch )Reference
The John Deere 185 was available with either 38 or 46-inch rear deck. A 6.5-bushel rear bagger (BM16790) was optional. When the bagger was used on hills, front wheel weights were recommended. Dual 40-pound rear weight plates plus rear tire chains were available for use with the optional 38-inch single-stage snowblower.Reference
Two-wheel driveReference
Manual steeringReference
Integral mechanical transmission disc brakesReference
Open operator station.Reference
Variants
180gear driveReference
185hydro driveReference
Engine
17HP Kawasaki 534cc 1-cyl gasolineReference
Fuel tank8.3 LReference
Kawasaki FC540VReference
gasolineReference
1-cylinderReference
air-cooled vertical-shaftReference
Displacement32.64 ciReference
Bore/Stroke89 x 86 mmReference
Power (gross)12.7 kWReference
Air cleanerdry with foam precleanerReference
Rated RPM3350Reference
Starter volts12Reference
Oil capacity1.6 LReference
Image courtesy of ScottReference
Transmission
hydrostaticReference
TransmissionSundstrandReference
Typebelt-driven hydrostaticReference
Gearsinfinite forward and reverseReference
Oil capacity0.7 LReference
Eaton transmission with Peerless differential through 1987. Sundstrand transmission with Kanzaki differential beginning with the 1988 model year.Reference
1Forward/ReverseReference
2ThrottleReference
3BrakeReference
4Parking brakeReference
PTO & Hydraulics
Mid PTOindependentReference
ClutchelectricReference
Dimensions
Wheelbase113 cmReference
Weight625 to 645 poundsReference
Front tire15x6.00-6Reference
Rear tire18x8.50-8Reference
Lawn/turf front15x6.00-6Reference
Lawn/turf rear18x8.50-8 (38-inch deck)Reference
Lawn/turf rear20x10.00-8 (46-inch deck)Reference
Length167 cmReference
Height101 cmReference
Shipping weight283 kgReference
Shipping weight292 kgReference
John Deere 185 attachments
38" mid-mount mower deckReference
46" mid-mount mower deckReference
snowblowerReference
bladeReference
185 Serial Number Location
Serial number decal on the left side of the 185 tractor frame, above the front axle.Reference
185 Serial Numbers
1986M00185A372001 (38-inch deck)Reference
1987M00185A440001 (38-inch deck)Reference
1988M00185A495001 (38-inch deck)Reference
1989M00185A595001 (38-inch deck)Reference
1989-endM00185A750000 (38-inch deck)Reference
1990M00185A010001 (38-inch deck)Reference
FinalM00185A100000 (38-inch deck)Reference
1986M00185B378001 (46-inch deck)Reference
1987M00185B450001 (46-inch deck)Reference
1988M00185B505001 (46-inch deck)Reference
1989M00185B605001 (46-inch deck)Reference
1989-endM00185B750000 (46-inch deck)Reference
1990M00185B020001 (46-inch deck)Reference
FinalM00185B100000 (46-inch deck)Reference
FAQ: How to read a serial number table.Reference
Electrical
GroundnegativeReference
Charging systemflywheel alternatorReference
Charging amps15Reference
Battery CCA255Reference
Battery volts12Reference
Attachment overview
38" mid-mount mower deckReference
46" mid-mount mower deckReference
SnowblowerReference
BladeReference
Speeds
With 18x8.50-8 rear tires.Reference
Values normalized to UK metric units. Every figure is traced to at least one source; verified specs are cross-checked against two or more.