John Deere lawn tractors

John Deere 285

The John Deere 285 is a garden tractor produced from 1987 to 1992 as part of the Late 200 Series. It was John Deere's first lawn and garden tractor with an electronic fuel injected (EFI) engine option available in 1989. It features an 18 hp Kawasaki 585cc 2-cylinder liquid-cooled gasoline engine, a Sundstrand BDU-21 belt-driven hydrostatic transmission with infinite forward and reverse speeds, and two-wheel drive with manual enclosed recirculating ball steering. The tractor has a wheelbase of 47.9 inches, weighs 625 lbs, and offers optional attachments including mid-mount mower decks, blades, snow blowers, and a mechanical drive tiller.

Power18 hp

Founded46/50" deck

Model285

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Technical Specifications

Detailed specifications and technical data for John Deere 285

Hitch

Type	sleeve hitch (Optional)

Engine

Type	gasoline, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical-shaft
Model	Kawasaki FD590V
Idle RPM	1400-3350
Fuel tank	3 gal (11.4 L)
Rated RPM	3400
Air cleaner	foam precleaner with paper filter
Bore/Stroke	2.91x2.68 inches (74 x 68 mm)
Compression	8.7:1
Fuel system	carburetor, electronic-fuel injected (Optional)
Displacement	585 cc (35.7 ci)
Oil capacity	2.6 qts (2.5 L)
Power (gross)	18 hp (13.4 kW)
Starter volts	12
Coolant capacity	3.3 qts (3.1 L)
Oil change interval	50 h

Dimensions

Width	41.5 inches (105 cm)
Height	43.6 inches (110 cm)
Length	71.5 inches (181 cm)
Rear tire	23x10.50-12
Wheelbase	47.9 inches (121 cm)
Front tire	16x6.50-8
Ag rear tire	23x10.50-12
Shipping weight	625 lbs (283 kg)
Lawn/turf rear tire	23x10.50-12
Lawn/turf front tire	16x6.50-8

Electrical

Ground	negative
Battery CCA	341
Battery Group	22F
Battery volts	12
Charging amps	17
Charging system	alternator

Production

Notes	The 285 was John Deere's first lawn and garden tractor with an electronic fuel injected (EFI) engine. The 285 EFI was manufactured for the 1989 model year.
Series	Late 200 Series
Built in	Horicon, Wisconsin, USA
Category	Garden tractor
Years produced	1987 - 1992

Attachments

Tiller	30-inch mechanical drive tiller (M03260X/MO3261X) compatible
46" Blade	front-mount, 46 inches width (116 cm), 17 inches height (43 cm), 5 inches lift (12 cm), 3 inches cut (7 cm), 110 lbs (49 kg), manual-lift, manual-angle
42" Snow blower	John Deere 32050M, 42 inches width (106 cm), single-stage, total width 43 inches (109 cm), clear height 17 inches (43 cm), front-mount, manual-lift, 175 lbs (79 kg)
46" mid-mount mower deck	46 inches (116 cm) width, total width 57 inches (144 cm), 3-blade, manual lift, right-discharge, cut height 1.5 to 4 inch (3 to 10 cm), weight 125 lbs (56 kg)
50" mid-mount mower deck	50 inches (127 cm) width, total width 61 inches (154 cm), 3-blade, manual lift, right-discharge, cut height 1.5 to 4 inch (3 to 10 cm), weight 155 lbs (70 kg)

Transmission

Type	belt-driven hydrostatic
Gears	infinite forward and reverse
Model	Sundstrand BDU-21
Oil type	Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard
Oil capacity	2.6 qts (2.5 L)
Oil change interval	250 h

Serial Numbers

1988	M00285A475001 (46" mower), M00285B475001 (50" mower)
1989	M00285A595001 (46" mower), M00285B605001 (50" mower), M00285C615001 (50" mower + fuel injection)
1990	M00285A010001 (46" mower), M00285B020001 (50" mower)
1991	M00285B100001 (50" mower), M00285A100001 (48" mower)
Location	Serial number decal on the rear of the 285, above the drawbar.

Brakes and Steering

Drive	Two-wheel drive
Brakes	Expanding mechanical shoe brakes
Steering	manual enclosed recirculating ball
Operator station	Open operator station. Vinyl weather enclosure optional.

Power Take-off (PTO)