John Deere 185

The John Deere 185 is a lawn tractor model from the Late 100 Lawn series, manufactured from 1986 to 1990 by John Deere in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA. It was available in two-wheel drive (2WD) version.

The John Deere 185 is equipped with a 534 cc (32.6 cu·in) single-cylinder gasoline engine with 89.0 mm (3.5 in) of the cylinder bore and 86.0 mm (3.39 in) of the piston stroke, and a belt-driven hydrostatic transmission with infinite forward and reverse gears.

The JD 185 lawn tractor features:

• The Kawasaki FC540V gasoline engine which produces 17.3 PS (12.7 kW; 17.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm of horsepower
• Manual, sector and pinion steering
• Integral mechanical transmission disc brakes
• Open operator station

General specifications

General Specifications
Model	John Deere 185
Tractor type	Lawn tractor
Production years	1986-1990
Factory	Horicon, Wisconsin, USA
Dimensions and weight
Length	1,670 mm (65.7 in)
Width	–
Height	1,010 mm (39.8 in)
Wheel base	1,130 mm (44.5 in)
Weight	38-inch deck: 283 kg (624 lbs) 42-inch deck: 292 kg (644 lbs)
Fuel capacity
Fuel tank capacity	8.3 liters (2.2 US gal.; 1.8 Imp. gal)

Engine

Engine
Engine model	Kawasaki FC540V
Engine type	Four-stroke, air-cooled, OHV
Cylinders	1
Fuel type	Gasoline
Displacement	0.5 L, 534 cm3, (32.6 cu·in)
Bore and stroke	89.0 mm X 86.0 mm (3.5 in X 3.39 in)
Compression ratio	8.3:1
Fuel system	Float type carburetor with fixed main jet
Horsepower	17.3 PS (12.7 kW; 17.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm
Starter	Electric
Oil system
Lubrication system:	Full pressurized
Oil type:	4-stroke or an equivalent (SF, SE, SD)
Recommended oil:	SAE 10W-30
Oil capacity:	1.6 L (1.69 US. qt, 1.41 Imp. qt.)
Ignition system
Spark plug:	NGK BPR5ES or Champion RN11YC
Spark plug gap:	0.7-0.8 mm (0.0276-0.0315 in)
Valve clearance
Intake valve clearance:	0.15 mm (0.006 in)
Exhaust valve clearance:	0.15 mm (0.006 in)

Transmission and chassis

Chassis, steering and brakes
Chassis	4×2 2WD
Steering type	Manual sector-and-pinion
Brakes	Integral transmission disc
Transmission
Transmission manufacturer/model	Sundstrand
Transmission type	Belt-driven hydrostatic
Gears	Infinite forward and reverse
Speed	Forward: 8.0 kmh (5.0 mph) Reverse: 4.0 kmh (2.5 mph)
Transmission oil capacity	0.7 L (0.2 US. gal, 0.2 Imp. gal.)

Tires

Tires
Front tires	Lawn/turf: 15×6.00-6
Rear tires	Lawn/turf: 18×8.50-8 (38-inch deck), 20×10.00-8 (46-inch deck)

Electrical system

Electrical system
Ground	Negative
Charging system	Flywheel alternator
Charging amps	15A
Battery	12V, CCA: 255A

Serial numbers

38-inch deck
1986	M00185A372001
1987	M00185A440001
1988	M00185A495001
1989	M00185A595001
1989-end	M00185A750000
1990	M00185A010001
Final	M00185A100000
46-inch deck
1986	M00185B378001
1987	M00185B450001
1988	M00185B505001
1989	M00185B605001
1989-end	M00185B750000
1990	M00185B020001
Final	M00185B100000

Attachments

John Deere 38″ mid-mount mower deck with 2-blade and manual lift
Cutting width	960 mm (38 in)
Overall width	1,260 mm (49.7 in)
Cut height	20-100 mm (1-4 in)
John Deere 46″ mid-mount mower deck with 3-blade and manual lift
Cutting width	1,160 mm (46 in)
Overall width	1,440 mm (57 in)
Cut height	20-100 mm (1-4 in)
John Deere 2690M: 42″ front-mount blade with manual-lift and manual-angle
Width	1,060 mm (42 in)
Height	380 mm (15 in)
Lift	120 mm (5 in)
Weight	28 kg (62 lbs)
John Deere 2460M: 38″ front-mount, single-stage snowblower with manual-lift
Width	960 mm (38 in)