Brand siblingLawn and GardenPerformance profile
Cub Cadet 3185
The Cub Cadet 3185 is a lawn and garden tractor built for homeowners who want a powerful machine for their yard work. It has a 2-wheel drive system and power steering, making it easy to maneuver around gardens and lawns. The tractor uses a hydrostatic transmission, which means you can change speeds smoothly without shifting gears. Under the hood, the Cub Cadet 3185 has a Kohler Command CH18S engine. This engine is air-cooled and has two cylinders in a V-twin layout. It runs on gasoline and produces 18 horsepower, which is about average for tractors in its class. The engine size is also average compared to similar tractors. The tractor has lawn/turf tires, with larger ones in the back for better traction. It's 72 inches long, 41.7 inches wide, and 43.3 inches tall, making it compact enough for most yard tasks. The fuel tank holds 4.5 US gallons, so you can work for a while without refueling.
ManufacturerCub CadetPower18 hpEngine2-cylTransHydrostatic
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Quick specs
- Category
- Lawn and Garden
- Engine Power Output
- 18hp
- Transmission
- Hydrostatic
At a glance
How the 3185 compares
vs. Lawn and Garden medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Lawn and Garden tractors
18 hp · 50th
This model
4
Median 18 hp
28
This modelLawn and Garden tractorsMediann = 380
The 3185 ranks at the 50th percentile for engine power among recorded lawn and garden tractors.
Overview
About the Cub Cadet 3185
The Cub Cadet 3185 is a lawn and garden tractor built for homeowners who want a powerful machine for their yard work. It has a 2-wheel drive system and power steering, making it easy to maneuver around gardens and lawns. The tractor uses a hydrostatic transmission, which means you can change speeds smoothly without shifting gears. Under the hood, the Cub Cadet 3185 has a Kohler Command CH18S engine. This engine is air-cooled and has two cylinders in a V-twin layout. It runs on gasoline and produces 18 horsepower, which is about average for tractors in its class. The engine size is also average compared to similar tractors. The tractor has lawn/turf tires, with larger ones in the back for better traction. It's 72 inches long, 41.7 inches wide, and 43.3 inches tall, making it compact enough for most yard tasks. The fuel tank holds 4.5 US gallons, so you can work for a while without refueling.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | Cub Cadet |
|---|---|
| Model | 3185 |
| Category | Lawn and Garden tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1998+ |
Engine
| Make | Kohler |
|---|---|
| Model | Command CH18S |
| Power | 18hp |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 38.1ci |
| Bore | 3.03in |
| Stroke | 2.64in |
Transmission
| Type | Hydrostatic |
|---|
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Power |
| Brakes | External Disc |
| Cab | Open operator station |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Independent with electric clutch |
|---|
Dimensions
| Length | 72in |
|---|---|
| Width | 41.7in |
| Height | 43.3in |
Tires
| Front | 6.5-17 |
|---|---|
| Rear | 10.5-24 |
Head to head
3185 vs. Lawn and Garden median
How the Cub Cadet 3185 compares to other Lawn and Garden tractors
| Spec | This model | Lawn and Garden median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 18 hp | 18 hp | at median | 50th |
| Engine Displacement | 38.1 ci | 41.1 ci | -7% | 42nd |
| Cylinders | 2 | 2 | at median | 50th |
| Length | 72 in | 71.7 in | 0% | 61st |
| Width | 41.7 in | 43.3 in | -4% | 41st |
| Height | 43.3 in | 42.9 in | +1% | 57th |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the lawn and garden tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 269–380 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared Cub Cadet tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Cadet 1810 | 18 hp | — | 1986–1989 | Compare → |
| Cub Cadet 1811 | 18 hp | — | 1986–1989 | Compare → |
| Cub Cadet 1861 | 18 hp | 836 lb | 1991–1992 | Compare → |
| Cub Cadet 1862 | 18 hp | 893 lb | 1990–1992 | Compare → |
| Cub Cadet 1863 | 18 hp | 871 lb | 1993–1997 | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allis Chalmers 5015 | 18 hp | 1,278 lb | 1982–1985 | Compare → |
| Allis Chalmers WC (1938-1948) | 18 hp | 3,792 lb | 1938–1948 | Compare → |
| Bolens 1886 | 18 hp | — | 1971–1972 | Compare → |
| CaseIH 235 | 18 hp | 1,350 lb | — | Compare → |
| CaseIH Farmall DX18E | 18 hp | 1,314 lb | — | Compare → |
Explore
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FAQ
Common questions
What years was the Cub Cadet 3185 manufactured?
Production of the Cub Cadet 3185 began in 1998.
How powerful is the Cub Cadet 3185?
The Cub Cadet 3185 has an engine power output of 18 hp. It is powered by a 2-cylinder engine displacing 38.1 ci.
What type of transmission does the Cub Cadet 3185 have?
The Cub Cadet 3185 uses a Hydrostatic transmission.
What are the factory tire sizes for the Cub Cadet 3185?
The Cub Cadet 3185 comes with 6.5-17 front tires and 10.5-24 rear tires.
What three-point hitch category does the Cub Cadet 3185 use?
The Cub Cadet 3185 has a Category 0 three-point hitch.
What routine service does the Cub Cadet 3185 need?
Regular maintenance for the Cub Cadet 3185 includes checking and changing engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and filters, plus routine inspections as recommended in the owner's manual. Always follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for specific intervals and procedures.