Kubota L185 : Specs, Parts, Attachments, Reviews

The Kubota L185 is an L series compact utility tractor, first produced in about 1977, and was in production for roughly 5/6 years.

It has a 0.7 litre, 2 cylinder diesel engine, with a power output of about 17/18 hp, and a PTO of approx 14/15 hp. It has a fuel capacity of just under 6 gallons.

It has hydrostatic transmission, power steering and a wet disc braking sysytem.

Kubota L185 Specifications

All details relating to specifications, parts and attachments are approximate and should be checked with the manufacturer before any purchase or repair is made.

This in part is because changes can be made to a particular model over the years of production, and also a number of websites carry detailed technical information, which can sometimes slightly differ.

When checking exact specifications for a Kubota L185, there are a number of areas to check

Production Years and Original Price

This will give a sense of how long the tractor was in use for, availability of parts and servicing etc.

Kubota L185 Power –

This will refer to the power output of the engine, and the PTO as well. Figures for this can vary, and will normally show the optimum power output. This can reduce in older models, or models that have been used extensively in different types of work, construction etc.

Mechanical –

These figures will relate to whether the tractor is a 4×4 or a 2 wd, the steering system, normally power steering, the braking system, if the cab has an ROPS or not and if so, if it is foldable of fixed.

Kubota L185 – HST

There should also be details of the transmission system, normally hydrostatic, and details of oil capacity.

Kubota L185 Loader

Is the tractor able to have aloader fitted, and if so waht are the appropriate sizes, including bucket sizes

Kubota L185 Engine –

This should provide details of the fuel tank capacity, engine size, how many cylinders and if it is diesel or gas. It is also useful to know the coolant capacity.

Kubota L185 Hydraulics –

Type and total flow

Power Take Off

If the system is independent or not, the rear rpm, and the mid tractor rpm.

Kubota L185 Filters

Engine Oil Filters
Hydraulic Filters
RTV Filter Kit

Kubota L185 Cab

Is the cab enclosed or open, is there an ROPS, what are the features and facilities for comfort and safety

Tractor Hitch

The type of hitch, the type of control mechanism and the lift capacity.

Kubota L185 Tires and Dimensions

Tire specifications are important, especially if the tractor is to be used for different types of work – lawn and turf, snowblower, construction etc.

The tractors dimensions are also important, mainly its wheelbase, length, width an dheight , with or without ROPS, its weight and ground clearance.

Kubota L185 for Sale/Prices

Buying any new Kubota tractor

From a Kubota dealership – think in terms of buying a new car or truck – drill down to MSRP, dealership mark up, discounts both national and local.

Do negotiating online if possible, as this gives you greater control over the sales process. Check what attachments are included, and offers on servicing and maintenance, after sales help such as transportation etc.

Check different sources of credit

Get quotes from different dealerships, including outside the area you live in, competition is fierce. If buying out of state, check shipping costs and confirm they are included.

Do negotiating by email if possible- thsi measn you have everything in writing, and gives you more time to consider your options.

Buying any used Kubota Tractor

Think in terms of buying a used auto or truck, both in terms of price and who to buy from.

Research current used prices on line – they will vary depending on the year of manufacture, engine size, how many hours it has been used for, what type of work it has been used for, and what type of ground it has been used on.

Decide on how much you are willing to pay, and whether to buy privately or through a Kubota dealership – privately includes on line dealers and auction sites. Prices will probably be lower than a dealership, but will also probbaly offer less protection.

If buying from a Kubota dealership, check if they know the history of the tractor -this can be really usefulin confirming its hours, servicing history and work record – type of work and land type of useage.

If out of manufacturers warranty, check what warrnty the dealership will offer, and if it includes / excludes tires etc.

Try and negotiate online if possible, and by email for reasons as above. Also research different sources of credit, Including Kubota Credit if available.

Kubota L185 – Craigslist

Craigslist is a huge and popular marketplace for a wide range of agricultural products, including tractors such as the Kubota L185.

The advantage is the ability to search locally by state, and by county. This means the practicality of inspecting the tractor is much greater, and also finding out its history and work detail.

The downside is that searching by locality limits the number of tractors that may be available, although if someone is willing to buy out of state then it broadens the search area significantly.

Kubota L185 Attachments

There are a number of attachments for the Kubota L185, a general list of which is published below.

Backhoe

Mower Deck

All Purpose Seeder

Pallett Forks

Box Blade

Grooming Mower

Finishing Mower

Fertilizer Spreader

Rotary Tiller

Rotary Cutter

Rear Blade

Wood Chopper

Landscapr Trailer

Post Hole Digger

Landscape Rake

Grapple

Lawn Aerator

Bush Hogg

Finish Mower

Soil Pulveriser

Plow

Trailor Mower

Land leveler

Garden Bedder

Lawn Plugger

Cultipacker

Bale Spear

Auger

Blades / Box Scraper

Bucket

Field Cultivators

Disc Harrows

Power Harrows

Ploughs

Vertical tillage

Round Balers

Disc Mower Conditioners

Plain Disc Mowers

Rakes

Tedders

Wrappers

Spreaders

Kubota L185 Owners Manual

The owners manual and the service manual for the Kubota L185 are normally quite easy to obtain. If buying a new tractor then the manual will come with it, or should come with it, either as a hardback book, or as a downloadable PDF

If buying a used tractor and the handbook or manual is not available, then you can normally be obtained either from a dealership, or a number of sites online that offer it either as a free download, or available at a nominal charge.

Owners manuals and service manuals can also often be obtained from sites such as eBay and Amazon.

Kubota L185 Parts

When looking for parts, it is often a good idea to try and obtain a copy of a pdf manual as well.

When buying parts, it is a good idea if possible to have the chassis number of the machine, as well as being able to be as specific as possible as to which part is actually required.

This will help to track the part, and also help in locating a manual if needed which will contain diagrams for Kubota L185 parts, and greatly help in being able to fit them properly.

Below are two different breakdowns of what parts may be available.

The first part is a breakdown of part by category, the second is a breakdown of parts by more specific motor or mechanical usage.

Category 1

Kubota L185 – 3 Point Linkage / Drawbar/ Hitch Systems

Lift Rod LH
Lift Rod RH
Lower link
PTO shaft protector
Stabiliser
Swinging drawbar
Top link
Top link bracket

Kubota L185 Clutch parts

Center frame
Bevel gear
Clutch release fork
Clutch rod
Differential rear
Driveshaft
First shaft
Input shaft
PTO clutch
PTO clutch valve
PTO propellor shaft
PTO shaft
Rear axle case
Second shaft
Shift cover
Shuttle dear case
Shuttle shaft
Transmission case
Clutch
Clutch lever
Clutch pedal
Clutch housing

Kubota L185 Electrical System Parts

Battery
Alternator
Dynamo
Dynamo and van
Light
Regulator and meter
Electrical wiring
Hazard light/tail light touch
Head light
Panel board/switch
Starter
Switch
Stop solenoid
Tail light
Working light
Switch/sensor

Kubota L185 Engine Spares

Accelerator lever
Air cleaner
Alternator
Camshaft and idle gear shaft
Cover
Crankcase
Cylinder head
Dipstick and guide
Exhaust manifold
Fan
Flywheel
Fuel camshaft
Gear case
Governor
Head cover
Idle apparatus
Injection pump
Inlet manifold
Lower gasket kit
Main bearing case
Muffler
Nozzle holder
Oil filter
Oil pump
Oil switch/thermometer
Piston and crankshaft
Speed control plate
Starter
Stop solenoid
Kubota kit
Valve and rocker arm
Water flange and thermostat
Water pump

Kubota L185 Steering Parts

Steering controller
Steering cylinder/component parts
Steering handle
Manual steering
Steering linkage
Steering post
Tilt pedal

Kubota L185 – Top Link / Top Link Bracket / PTO Protector Parts

Lift Rod
3 point linkage
Check chain
Hitch
Lower link
Mower rear link LH
Mower rear link RH
PTO protector
Top link
Top link bracket
Toys and Merchandise

Kubota L185 Transmission Parts

Clutch shaft/output shaft
Front wheel propeller shaft
Countershaft
Main shaft
PTO counter shaft
Reverse shaft
Forward idle shaft
GP idle shaft
HST one – cylinder block
HST two/arm
HST 3/port block cover
HST 4/oil cooler cover
HST fan cover
Mid PTO
Propeller shaft
PTO shaft
Rear gear shaft
Rear axle case
Rear differential
Transmission case

L185 – Cylinder Head and Component Parts

Complete cylinder head
Exhaust valve guide
Inlet valve guide

L185 – Gauges and Instruments

Temperature gauge

L185 – Ignition Parts

Glow plug
Starter switch and key

L185 – Transmission Parts

HST Damper
Universal joint assembly

Kubota L185 Exhaust System Parts

Exhaust manifold
Exhaust manifold gasket

Kubota L185 Cooling System Parts

Cooling fan
Fan belt
Lower radiator hose
Radiator
Radiator screen
Thermostat
Apart radiator hose
Water pump
Water pump gasket

Kubota L185 Fuel System Parts

Fuel cap – gasoline
Fuel shutoff solenoid
Re-manufactured injection pump

Kubota L185 lubrication systems

Oil pump
Oil pump gasket

FAQ – TBA

Kubota L185 Reviews / Problems – Common Questions

There are numerous reviews available online, ranging from full-length video reviews on sites such as YouTube, through to discussion forums such as tractor by net. the value of video reviews ifsthey show the tractor at its best, as most of these reviews are done by dealerships, or very enthusiastic customers.

Discussion forums tend to be more focused and constructively critical. They are a wide source of valuable information and normally have most issues concerning this tractor covered already, or have a wide range of users who are willing to the help with most detailed problems and questions