L185 Kubota

[Arkansas Dave]

Picked up a new project today in descent shape and I plan to make it much better, it is a Kubota L185 with 669 hours in very good shape
and I am fairly sure it has the original tires if they were Firestones because that what it has and they have minor wear and look the age of
the tractor due to dry cracking in places. I am going to use it around my place for mowing, blading, tilling, plowing, skidding small trees and misc.
I am going to start out by picking up a change of oil and filters for it. I have ran about every kind of equipment there is including tractors but this is
the first one i have ever owned. I need to buy some equipment so if anyone can give me some advice on what size mowers, blades and etc. I need
for it I would appreciate it.

thanks
Dave

 

[bmaverick]

Dave, Nice find. It's a Gray Market version, yet still durable.

I attached the engine service manual. That's all I have on this model.

Additionally, the L185 is related to the L235 & L275. The OPS manual is attached for those.

Typically, a 6FT mower or less width, straight blade is no more than 1-FT wider than the rear wheels each side.

Because it's a Gray Market, you would need to measure the rear PTO spline shaft diameter and count the splines to verify it can match American implements. AND, ensure it spins the right way.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota L185​

1977 - 1982 Compact Utility tractor

Production
Manufacturer:	Kubota
Type:	Compact Utility tractor
Original price:	$6,400 (1982 )

Variants
L185TP:	2WD turf
L185FP:	2WD ag
L185DT:	4WD

Kubota L185 Power
Engine:	17 hp 12.7 kW
PTO (claimed):	15 hp 11.2 kW

Kubota L185 Engine
Kubota 0.7L 2-cyl diesel
Fuel tank:	5.8 gal 22.0 L
Engine details ...

Mechanical
Chassis:	4x2 2WD
	4x4 MFWD 4WD (L185DT)
Steering:	manual
Cab:	Open operator station.
Transmissions:	8-speed gear
	16-speed creeper
Transmission details ...

Photos

Kubota L185 photos...

Tractor hitch
Rear Type:	I
Control:	position control
	draft control optional
Rear lift (at ends):	2200 lbs 997 kg

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO:	transmission
Rear RPM:	540/700/1000 (1.375)
Engine RPM:	540@2430 702@2430 1007@2430
Front RPM:	2430

Kubota L185 Tires Standard tires (ag): Front: 4.00-15. Rear: 9.5-24 (2WD) Front: 6.00-14. Rear: 9.5-24 (4WD) 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 723 kg (L185FP) 1628 lbs 738 kg (L185TP) 1785 lbs 809 kg (L185DT)

Kubota L185 attachments

front-end loader

Electrical
Ground:	negative
Battery volts:	12

Page information
Last update:	February 7, 2017
Copyright:	Copyright 2021 TractorData LLC
Contact:	Peter@TractorData.com

 

[jeff9366]

Judging by tires, you have the 2-WD model L185FP.

There is only so much a 17-hp, 2-WD tractor weighing a scant 1,595 pounds can accomplish.

I am going to use it around my place for mowing, blading, tilling, plowing, and skidding small trees.

Mowing with a 48" Rotary Cutter or a 54" Finish Mower should be fine, plowing with a 12" single bottom plow marginal but OK in moist soil, roto-tilling more likely to be satisfactory than moldboard plowing, blading probably not too realistic, skidding small trees OK.

Fitting contemporary Three Point Hitch implements to your tractor may or may not be tricky. Research fit carefully before buying. T-B-N is a good place for "fit" advice.

Your implement choices will pretty much be 48" to 54" width in the lightest weights due to traction limitations.

A good find and a good tractor to learn with.




Improvements in tractors since 1939 in approximate order: 4-WD, Industrial Tires (for the Army Air Force and Naval aviation?), Power Steering, "independent" PTOs, Loaders, Diesel Engines, Category 2-3-4-5 TPH, Landscaping tractors of <2,000 pounds bare tractor weight, hydrostatic transmissions, shuttle shift gear transmissions, Cabs with heat and AC. And, continuously, shields separating operator from moving parts.

 

[Arkansas Dave]

Dave, Nice find. It's a Gray Market version, yet still durable.

I attached the engine service manual. That's all I have on this model.

Additionally, the L185 is related to the L235 & L275. The OPS manual is attached for those.

Typically, a 6FT mower or less width, straight blade is no more than 1-FT wider than the rear wheels each side.

Because it's a Gray Market, you would need to measure the rear PTO spline shaft diameter and count the splines to verify it can match American implements. AND, ensure it spins the right way.

It has been running a standard finish mower and I was told the 1501 was the gray version of the 185 but they may have told me wrong the Kubota dealer said they could get parts for me so that's good anyway. I appreciate the info and any help I am learning about it as I go.

thanks
Dave

 

[Arkansas Dave]

Judging by tires, you have the 2-WD model L185FP.

There is only so much a 17-hp, 2-WD tractor weighing a scant 1,595 pounds can accomplish.

I am going to use it around my place for mowing, blading, tilling, plowing, and skidding small trees.

Mowing with a 48" Rotary Cutter or a 54" Finish Mower should be fine, plowing with a 12" single bottom plow marginal but OK in moist soil, roto-tilling more likely to be satisfactory than moldboard plowing, blading probably not too realistic, skidding small trees OK.

Fitting contemporary Three Point Hitch implements to your tractor may or may not be tricky. Research fit carefully before buying. T-B-N is a good place for "fit" advice.

Your implement choices will pretty much be 48" to 54" width in the lightest weights due to traction limitations.

A good find and a good tractor to learn with.




Improvements in tractors since 1939 in approximate order: 4-WD, Industrial Tires (for the Army Air Force and Naval aviation?), Power Steering, "independent" PTOs, Loaders, Diesel Engines, Category 2-3-4-5 TPH, Landscaping tractors of <2,000 pounds bare tractor weight, hydrostatic transmissions, shuttle shift gear transmissions, Cabs with heat and AC. And, continuously, shields separating operator from moving parts.

I was meaning blading loose dirt and gravel in the road and low spots but very true on blading packed dirt that takes mucho grande horsepower. I appreciate all you good peoples advice and support I am new to the Kubota brand tractor the only other kubota tractor I have ever ran is a M9000 cab model and other kubota powered machines.

Dave

 

[sixdogs]

What a good looking tractor. If it were me, I get some implements but leave the basic tractor alone. I wouldn't do any mod that could not be un-modded quickly. Change all the oils, etc but that tractor is great as it is for light work around a home or farm. It's a keeper if it only pulls a lawn mower.

I don't think it's gray market at all. I've seen a number over the years and gray market never entered the conversation.

 

[bmaverick]

It has been running a standard finish mower and I was told the 1501 was the gray version of the 185 but they may have told me wrong the Kubota dealer said they could get parts for me so that's good anyway. I appreciate the info and any help I am learning about it as I go.

thanks
Dave

I pulled the manuals off of a Gray Market only site in Japan. Possible the L185 was sold over there too? No idea on my end.

 

[Arkansas Dave]

Here is a chart I found at Kubota:

Kubota | Prior Product Information - Search

Review our prior products list for info on previously released models. Find the info here or see your Kubota dealer for availability of certain parts & models

www.kubotausa.com

Dave

 

[Arkansas Dave]

What a good looking tractor. If it were me, I get some implements but leave the basic tractor alone. I wouldn't do any mod that could not be un-modded quickly. Change all the oils, etc but that tractor is great as it is for light work around a home or farm. It's a keeper if it only pulls a lawn mower.

I don't think it's gray market at all. I've seen a number over the years and gray market never entered the conversation.

Thanks! I think I am going to keep it as close to stock as possible it will mainly be used for mowing with the finish mower.

Dave