Kubota L185
The Kubota L185 is a tractor produced by Kubota. It is equipped with a 45.3 ci 0.7 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (listed): 17 hp / 12.7 kW. Transmission: 16 forward and 4 reverse. Operating weight: 1595 to 1785 pounds.
Engine Power
Diesel (listed): 17 hp / 12.7 kW
Fuel & Capacities
5.8 gal
22.0 L
Transmission
16 forward and 4 reverse
Operating Weight
1595 to 1785 pounds
Overview
 | 1977 - 1982
Compact Utility tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Kubota |
Compact Utility tractor | |
Built in Japan | |
Original price was $6,400 in 1982 | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
L185TP | 2WD turf |
L185FP | 2WD ag |
L185DT | 4WD |
Kubota L185 Engine | |
|---|---|
Kubota 0.7L 2-cyl diesel | |
Fuel tank | 5.8 gal
22.0 L |
Engine details ...  | |
Kubota L185 Power | |
|---|---|
Engine | 17 hp
12.7 kW |
PTO (claimed) | 15 hp
11.2 kW |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two- or four-wheel drive | |
Manual steering | |
Open operator station. |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | I |
Control | position control |
draft control OptOptional | |
Rear lift (at ends) | 2200 lbs
997 kg |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | transmission |
Rear PTO Type | 540/700/1000 (1.375) |
Engine RPM | 540@2430 |
702@2430 | |
1007@2430 | |
Front PTO Type | 2430 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 60 inches
152 cm |
Weight | 1595 to 1785 pounds |
Front tire | 4.00-15 |
2WD Rear tire | 9.5-24 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | negative |
Battery volts | 12 |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Mid-Mount Mowers B/L Series published in 1978, by Kubota | |
New L185DT Tractor published in 1978, by Kubota | |
New L185FP Tractor published in 1978, by Kubota | |
New L185TP Tractor published in 1978, by Kubota |
Engine
Engine Detail — 45.3 ci / 0.7 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Kubota Z751 |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 45.3 ci
0.7 L |
Bore/Stroke | 2.99x3.23 inches
76 x 82 mm |
Power | 17 hp
12.7 kW |
Rated RPM | 2800 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Transmission
Transmission options | |
|---|---|
8-speed gear | |
16-speed creeper |
Transmission — 8 forward and 2 reverse gear
Type | gear |
Gears | 8 forward and 2 reverse |
 | |
Transmission | |
Type | creeper |
Gears | 16 forward and 4 reverse |
 | |
Dimensions
Kubota L185 Tires | |
|---|---|
2WD Standard tires (ag) | Front: 4.00-15. Rear: 9.5-24 |
4WD Standard tires (ag) | Front: 6-14. Rear: 9.5/9-24 |
Lawn/turf front | 20x8.00-10 |
Lawn/turf rear | 13.6-16 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 60 inches
152 cm |
Length | 100 inches
254 cm |
Width | 54 inches
137 cm |
Height (steering wheel) | 53 inches
134 cm |
Height (exhaust) | 76.1 inches
193 cm |
Ground clearance | 10 inches
25 cm |
Front tread | 39.375 inches
100 cm |
Rear tread | 40.5 inches
102 cm |
Kubota L185 Weight | |
|---|---|
Shipping | 1595 lbs (L185FP)
723 kg |
1628 lbs (L185TP)
738 kg | |
1785 lbs (L185DT)
809 kg | |
Attachments
Attachment overview | |
|---|---|
Snowblower | |
Front-end loader | |
Backhoe |
Kubota BL4520 Backhoe | |
|---|---|
Backhoe type | Kubota BL4520 Backhoe |
Transport height | 61.2 inches
155 cm |
Bucket width | 10 inches
25 cm |
12 inches
30 cm | |
16 inches
40 cm | |
2-Foot flat digging depth | 79.5 inches
201 cm |
Reach from pivot | 97.8 inches
248 cm |
Loading height | 84 inches
213 cm |
Bucket Rotation | 170° |
Swing Arc | 177° |
Bucket force | 1450 lbs
657 kg |
Dipperstick force | 2885 lbs
1308 kg |
Photos
Kubota L185
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Kubota L185 based on its 17 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 1 to 2 Bottom (12")1 - 2 铧 (30 cm) | Light Duty | Ideal for garden plots and light sandy soil. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 4 ft (48 in)1.2 m | Light Duty | Pasture clipping and light brush under 1" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 42 to 48 in105 - 120 cm | Light Duty | Covers compact tractor tire width. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Kubota L185.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 6.6 hrs
Approximately 6.6 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (5.8 gal / 22 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~0.9 gal/hr (3.3 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Kubota L185 Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Kubota L185.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)17 hp
Kilowatts (kW)12.7 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)17.2 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Kubota L185 against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Kubota
Kubota L185
Engine Power:Diesel (listed): 17 hp / 12.7 kW
★ Baseline Reference
International HarvesterMarket Competitor
International Harvester 154 Lo-Boy
Engine Power:15.6
Production Years:1968 - 1974
Related models
Kubota B1402
- Power:
- 13.8
- Production years:
- 1981 - 1985
Kubota B1410
- Power:
- 13.8
Kubota B7001
- Power:
- 13.8
- Production years:
- 1976 - 1979
Kubota GB14
- Power:
- 13.8
- Production years:
- 1997 - 2001
Kubota GB140
- Power:
- 13.8
- Production years:
- 2002 - 2003