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Lawn Tractor · 1986Unverified

John Deere 185

Name: John Deere 185
Brand: John Deere

John Deere 185 — Late 100 Lawn Series · 17 hp. Reference specifications; pending source verification.

The John Deere 185 is a lawn tractor with a rated power output of 17 hp, a mid-range figure for its class. Manufactured from 1986 to 1990, the 185 features a 1-cylinder petrol air-cooled engine, paired with a two-wheel drive system and hydrostatic transmission. Its operating weight ranges from 625 to 645 pounds. It is suitable for operations covering up to 200 acres.

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

Catalogue coverage

Variants represented

Richest spec table

79 rows

Recorded power

17 hp

Recorded weight

283 kg

Transmissions

hydrostatic

Production years

1986-1990

Verified variants

1 linked source document displayed

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.

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