John Deere 185

1986 - 1990

Late 100 Lawn Series

Lawn tractor

Manufacturer

John Deere

Lawn tractor

Built in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA

Original price

$3,900 (1990 38-inch )

$4,100 (1990 42-inch )

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.

180

gear drive

185

hydro drive

17HP Kawasaki 534cc 1-cyl gasoline

Fuel tank

2.2 gal 8.3 L

hydrostatic

Two-wheel drive

Manual steering

Integral mechanical transmission disc brakes

Open operator station.

Mid PTO

independent

Clutch

electric

Wheelbase

44.7 inches 113 cm

Weight

625 to 645 pounds

Front tire

15x6.00-6

Rear tire

18x8.50-8

Ground

negative

Charging system

flywheel alternator

Charging amps

15

Battery CCA

255

Battery volts

12

John Deere Lawn Tractors 100 Series published in 1989

John Deere Lawn Tractors and Riding Mowers published in 1986

Lawn Tractors published in 1987, by John Deere

Lawn & Garden Equipment published in 1990, by John Deere

Grounds Care & Recreation Products Sales Manual published in 1989, by John Deere

Operator's Manual 170, 175, 180 and 185 (OMM78999) published in 1988

Operator's Manual 130, 160, 165, 180, and 185 (OMM89684) published in 1985

Technical Manual 130, 160, 165, 175, 180, and 185 Lawn Tractors. (TM1351) published in 1988

Manufacturer

Kawasaki FC540V

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Configuration

1-cylinder, air-cooled vertical-shaft

Displacement

534 cc 32.64 ci

Bore/Stroke

3.50x3.38 inches 89 x 86 mm

Power (gross)

17 hp 12.7 kW

Air cleaner

dry with foam precleaner

Rated RPM

3350

Starter volts

12

Oil capacity

1.7 qts 1.6 L

Image courtesy of Scott

Transmission

Sundstrand

Type

belt-driven hydrostatic

Gears

infinite forward and reverse

Oil capacity

0.75 qts 0.7 L

Eaton transmission with Peerless differential through 1987. Sundstrand transmission with Kanzaki differential beginning with the 1988 model year.

With 18x8.50-8 rear tires.

1

Forward/Reverse

2

Throttle

3

Brake

4

Parking brake

Lawn/turf front

15x6.00-6

Lawn/turf rear

18x8.50-8 (38-inch deck)

20x10.00-8 (46-inch deck)

Wheelbase

44.7 inches 113 cm

Length

66 inches 167 cm

Height

39.8 inches 101 cm

Shipping weight

625 lbs (38-inch deck) 283 kg

645 lbs (42-inch deck) 292 kg

38" mid-mount mower deck

46" mid-mount mower deck

Snowblower

Blade