Weak spots on the 185

[muttandjeeps]

Just bought the wife an 185 for her birthday...no really. She just wanted something to keep the weeds down around the barn.
Any glaring problems with this model, or things to look out for?
Thanks

[Eugene]

Glaring problems, nothing specific. General maintenance. Good mower tractor so wife should be happy, Repair parts are readily available.

Some weak spots. Clutch and clutch brake pucks - not a major problem. PTO is an expensive repair.

[gitractorman]

Yep, if you keep the PTO clutch and drive clutch adjusted properly, they are great. If you let them get out of adjustment, the repairs can be costly. Also, all the number series lo boy tractors (154, 185, 184) are prone to breaking the bolt holes out in the frame where the rear end bolts to the frame. Typically this is from trying to do more with the tractor than it was designed to. Regardless, I always double check on my tractors that those bolts are tight, and I also pull the bolts one at a time to make sure the frame holes are now worn/stretched out. I've welded the frame holes up and re-drilled them a few times on tractors, which isn't a horrible job, but you have to drop the rear end out of the way.

Otherwise, excellent machines and the fact that so many are still around after 40-years is a true testament to how well they were built! They are big and comfortable to use, with their only real downfall being the not-so-tight turning radius...