Same brandKubota L185
The Kubota L185 is a small utility tractor that was made from 1977 to 1982. It's a 2-wheel drive tractor with a manual steering system. The L185 has a gear transmission with 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the driver good control over speed and power. This tractor is powered by a Kubota Z751A engine. It's a 2-cylinder diesel engine that is liquid-cooled and naturally aspirated. The engine puts out 17 horsepower, which is on the lower end for tractor power. However, it's enough for light farm work and small property maintenance. The L185 is compact, measuring 100 inches long, 53.9 inches wide, and 76 inches tall. It weighs 1,595 pounds, making it a lightweight tractor that's easy to move around. The tractor has a Category I three-point hitch at the rear and a transmission-driven PTO with three speed options: 540, 700, and 1000 rpm.
Key specifications
- Category
- Utility
- Engine power
- 17hp
- Operating weight
- 1,595 lb
- Transmission
- Gear
Category comparison
L185 compared with its category
vs. Utility medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
All recorded Utility tractors
This model
The L185 ranks at the 5th percentile for engine power among recorded utility tractors.
Overview
About the Kubota L185
The Kubota L185 is a small utility tractor that was made from 1977 to 1982. It's a 2-wheel drive tractor with a manual steering system. The L185 has a gear transmission with 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the driver good control over speed and power. This tractor is powered by a Kubota Z751A engine. It's a 2-cylinder diesel engine that is liquid-cooled and naturally aspirated. The engine puts out 17 horsepower, which is on the lower end for tractor power. However, it's enough for light farm work and small property maintenance. The L185 is compact, measuring 100 inches long, 53.9 inches wide, and 76 inches tall. It weighs 1,595 pounds, making it a lightweight tractor that's easy to move around. The tractor has a Category I three-point hitch at the rear and a transmission-driven PTO with three speed options: 540, 700, and 1000 rpm.
Full specifications
Recorded specifications
General
| Manufacturer | Kubota |
|---|---|
| Model | L185 |
| Category | Utility tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1977–1982 |
| Operating weight | 1,595lb(723.5 kg) |
Engine
| Make | Kubota |
|---|---|
| Model | Z751A |
| Power | 17hp(12.68 kW) |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 45.3ci(0.74 L) |
| Bore | 2.99in(75.95 mm) |
| Stroke | 3.23in(82.04 mm) |
Transmission
| Type | Gear |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 8 |
| Reverse gears | 2 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Cab | Open |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Transmission |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Length | 100in(2,540 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 53.9in(1,369 mm) |
| Height | 76in(1,930 mm) |
| Operating weight | 1,595lb(723.5 kg) |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 1.4gal(5.3 L) |
|---|
Closest alternatives
L185 compared with the nearest models by horsepower
Among utility tractors, the Kubota B1700 and the Kubota B1550 are closest to the Kubota L185 in rated horsepower. The Kubota B1700 matches it on rated power and weighs 200 lb less, so it is lighter for its power, which favors PTO and transport work over heavy draft. It entered production in 1995, 18 years after the L185. The Kubota B1550 matches it on rated power and weighs 370 lb less, carrying 72 lb per horsepower against 94 lb. It entered production in 1988, 11 years after the L185. Of the 3 models, the L185 has the highest weight per horsepower at 94 lb per hp.
| Spec | Kubota L185 | Kubota B1700 | Kubota B1550 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 17 hp12.7 kW | 17 hp12.7 kW | 17 hp12.7 kW |
| Operating weight | 1,595 lb723 kg | 1,400 lb635 kg | 1,224 lb555 kg |
| Weight per hp | 94 lb/hp57 kg/kW | 82 lb/hp50 kg/kW | 72 lb/hp44 kg/kW |
| Displacement | 45.3 ci0.74 L | 54.8 ci0.9 L | 52.2 ci0.86 L |
| Cylinders | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Transmission | Gear | Gear type | Gear shift with dry single plate type clutch |
| Years built | 1977-1982 | 1995-1999 | 1988-1997 |
Calculators
Calculators for the L185
PTO power
About 14 to 15 PTO hp
Estimated from the 17 hp engine rating. The calculator also estimates drawbar power by surface.
Implement sizing
Implements a 17 hp tractor can run
The calculator sizes mowers, tillers, discs, plows and balers for this tractor.
Ballast
109 lb per PTO hp as listed
Heavy draft work calls for 130 to 150 lb/hp. The calculator gives the ballast to add.
Units
17 hp is 12.7 kW
The converter gives kW and metric PS values, as used on European spec sheets.
Category medians
L185 vs. Utility median
Kubota L185 compared with other Utility tractors
| Spec | This model | Utility median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 17 hp | 55 hp | -69% | 5th |
| Engine Displacement | 45.3 ci | 183 ci | -75% | 2nd |
| Cylinders | 2 | 4 | -50% | 3rd |
| Forward Gears | 8 | 12 | -33% | 23rd |
| Operating Weight | 1,595 lb | 5,303 lb | -70% | 7th |
| Length | 100 in | 137 in | -27% | 8th |
| Width | 53.9 in | 66 in | -18% | 24th |
| Height | 76 in | 94.1 in | -19% | 21st |
Medians and percentiles are calculated from the utility tractors in the database that have a recorded value for each specification (sample size 3,933–5,720 models).
Same manufacturer
Other Kubota models
Other manufacturers
Models with similar horsepower
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When was the Kubota L185 made?
The Kubota L185 was manufactured from 1977 to 1982.
What hitch category is the Kubota L185?
The Kubota L185 uses a Category 3 hitch.
What is the engine power output of the Kubota L185?
Rated engine output for the Kubota L185 is 17 hp, delivered by a 2-cylinder engine. The engine displaces 45.3 ci.
What is the operating weight of the Kubota L185?
The Kubota L185 has an operating weight of about 1,595 lb.
Which transmission does the Kubota L185 use?
The Kubota L185 is equipped with a Gear transmission with 8 forward gears.
How do I maintain a Kubota L185?
Routine service for the Kubota L185 covers engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic and coolant level checks, air filter cleaning, and scheduled inspections. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for exact intervals.



