OPERATOR’S MANUAL
WARNING FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Read this manual completely as well as other manuals that came with your mower. • DO NOT operate on steep slopes. To check a slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck down). If the machine can back up the slope without the wheels slipping, reduce speed and use extreme caution. • Under no circumstances should the machine be operated on slopes greater than 15 degrees. ALWAYS FOLLOW OSHA APPROVED OPERATION.
Welcome to the Spartan Family On behalf of my wife Becky and myself, along with all of us at Intimidator, Inc., we would like to officially welcome you to the Spartan Family. We are thrilled that you have chosen to become a part of our team. Whether you have purchased your Spartan Mower for commercial use in your landscape company or you just wanted to have the best mower in your neighborhood, we would like to say, ‘Thank You’.
Table of Contents 1.0 General Information ..................................................................................... 4 2.0 Safety .............................................................................................................. 4 3.0 Know Your Mower ..................................................................................... 12 4.0 Mower Operation ........................................................................................ 15 5.0 Adjustments .....................
For servicing, it is encouraged that you utilize your authorized Spartan dealer. 1.0 General Information Congratulations on the purchase of your Spartan mower. Your machine has been carefully designed and rigorously tested to ensure the maximum in dependability, durability, and quality for years of mowing performance. This manual contains operating, maintenance, adjustment, and safety instructions for your Spartan mower. BEFORE OPERATING YOUR MOWER, CAREFULLY READ THIS MANUAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.
10. Fuel is flammable; handle it with care. Fill the fuel tank "WARNING" indicates that a hazard exists involving the machine that can result in injury or death if proper precautions are not taken. outdoors on a level surface. Never fill it indoors. Use a funnel or spout to prevent spillage. Clean up any spillage before starting the engine. 11. DO NOT add fuel to a running or hot engine. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before adding fuel. 12.
Keep hands and feet away from cutter blades and moving parts. WARNING Make sure that there is no one in the operator's seat when removing material from the discharge chute DO NOT use your hand to dislodge the clogged discharge chute. Use a stick or other device to remove material after the engine has stopped and the blades have stopped moving. Be aware of the mowing environment and terrain. Be alert for holes, rocks, and roots as well as overhead obstructions such as low tree limbs.
2.5.1 Lowering the Roll Bar Important: Lower the roll bar only when absolutely necessary. 1. 2. 3. Remove the hairpin cotters and remove the 2 pins (Figure 2.1) Lower the roll bar to the down position (Figure 2.0) Install the 2 pins and secure them with the hairpin cotters (Figure 2.1) 2.5.3 Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) Safety The ROPS is an integral safety device. Do not remove any of the ROPS components from the machine.
WARNING Hydraulic fluid is under high pressure and can penetrate skin causing injury. If hydraulic fluid is injected into the skin, it must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor or gangrene may result. Keep body and hands away from pinholes that eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. DO NOT use hands to check for leaks. Remove or mark obstacles such as ditches, holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden hazards. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Slope Indicator You may copy this page for personal use. The maximum slope you can operate the machine on is 15 degrees. Use the slope chart to determine the degree of slope of hills before operating. Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees. Fold along the appropriate line to match the recommended slope. 2. Align this edge with a vertical surface, a tree, building, fence pole, etc. 1. 3.
2.8 Safety Warning Decals WARNING: Read Operator’s Manual and understand Warning Decals before operating machine. WARNING: Roll over Mow a safe distance (minimum of 10 feet away from drop-offs, retaining walls, drainage ditches, embankments, water, and other types of hazards to avoid a wheel dropping off over the edge or to avoid the ground from breaking away. NOTE: Safety decals should enhance but not replace the safety information contained within this manual. WARNING: Thrown Objects hazard.
3.0 Know Your Mower Control Panel Operator Seat Fuel Cap Left Control Lever Fuel Gauge Right Control Lever Fuel Tank Discharge Chute Mower Deck Deck Height Pedal Anti-Scalp Wheels Parking Brake Figure 3.0: Front View Parking Brake Deck Height Pedal Right Control Lever Left Control Lever Fuel Gauge Control Panel Cup Holder Fuel Cap Figure 3.
Cup Holder Control Panel Right Control Arm Left Control Arm Parking Brake Deck Height Selector Discharge Chute Mower Deck AntiScalp Wheels Figure: 3.2 Front View Operator Lean Pad Fuel Cap Fuel Cap Fuel Tank Fuel Tank Figure: 3.
Engine Choke (carbureted models) 4.0 Mower Operation Check Engine LED (diesel models) Fuse Panel CAUTION 1 2 DO NOT operate this mower without reading this manual first. Make sure that you know where all of the controls are on the mower and how to use them appropriately. 3 4 Review the steps to stop quickly in the event of an emergency. 5 This section will familiarize you with the features and controls present on the Spartan Mower.
7. Start/Stop Button: When startup parameters are met, pressing, and holding this button will start the engine. Release once the engine starts. may need to run for a minute before the choke can be depressed. Press the Start/Stop Button once to stop the engine. NOTE: There are two switches under the START/STOP button. Both switches must be pressed to start the engine. Only one switch must be pressed to stop the engine. 8.
4.3.2 Setting the Clock 1. Unlock the console using your start-up key code. 2. Press the hourglass button repeatedly until the time-of-day clock is displayed. 3. Press and hold the hourglass button until "SET" appears on the display. Release the hourglass button. The time will flash 4. 5. Use the number 1 and 4 buttons to change the time down and up respectively. Holding the button instead of pressing and releasing will change the time more rapidly.
5. While mowing, always run the engine at full throttle. The mower is designed to cut most effectively with the throttle at maximum. If the engine begins to bog down, vary your travel speed to allow the mower to cut at maximum RPM. 4.4.1.1 Removing Clogged Material DANGER NEVER PUT ANY PART OF YOUR BODY INTO THE DISCHARGE CHUTE FOR ANY REASON Completely shut down the mower. Use a stick or other long implement to remove any clogged material and then resume normal mowing operations. 4.4.
ENGAGED DISENGAGED 5.0 Adjustments There are multiple features on your Spartan that are adjustable to suit the needs of different operators. Before making any of these adjustments, make sure that your machine is parked on level ground with the engine off, PTO disengaged, and parking brake on. 5.1 Seat Adjustment Basic Seat 1. Pull the seat adjustment lever under the left side of the operator's seat out to the left. 2. Slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position. 3.
enough to allow the cones to move. 2. either side of the mower. Move the cones forward or backwards to align them with the appropriate weight setting as indicated by the measurement decal. Make sure that the cones are aligned evenly. 3. Tighten the cone knobs and lower the seat back into place. 5.2 Adjusting the Control Levers Figure 5.3: Drive Arm Linkage WARNING DO NOT adjust any part of the control lever assembly while the mower is running.
5.3 Deck Leveling NOTE: It is especially important to park your mower on flat, level ground for accuracy of the deck leveling procedure. Adjust the bottom nuts for the front of the deck in the same manner as the rear. the front edge of the deck should measure 4 1/2" to the ground. Double check both sides of the deck for evenness and tighten the top bolts. Begin by raising the deck to its highest position 5.4 Moving a Stalled Mower Locate the four deck mounting brackets, shown below in the red boxes.
3. Loosen the nut on the front of the bracket. Tighten or loosen the rear nut to lengthen or shorten the linkage depending on your requirements. Any tire replacement must be an approved tire purchased from an authorized Spartan dealer. Warranty claims will be denied on any mower equipped with unapproved tires. 4. Re-tighten the front nut to secure the assembly. 6.3 Lubrication 5. Before operation, test the parking brake to ensure that it is functioning correctly.
6.4 Electrical System 6.4.1 Battery Care The Spartan mower electrical system is a 12-volt, negative ground. Recommended battery: WARNING Garden tractor BCI group 45 with a 480 or higher cranking AMP rating. Master Fuse Master Fuse Lead-acid batteries produce flammable and explosive gases. Provide proper ventilation and DO NOT expose the battery to any kind of flame, arc, or ember. Battery posts, terminals, and related items contain lead which is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
6.5 Hydraulic System WARNING Hydraulic fluid is under high pressure and can penetrate skin causing injury. If hydraulic fluid is injected into the skin, it must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor or gangrene may result. Keep body and hands away from pinholes that eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. DO NOT use hands to check for leaks. Your mower's fuel tank is located on the left side of the operator's seat. The fuel capacity for your mower depends on the model: - RZ - 5 gal.
2. Clean the area around the oil filter and position a container underneath to catch any oil. Remove the filter. Wipe off the mounting area and reinstall the drain plug. Tighten to specific 3. Apply a thin film of clean oil to the new oil filter gasket and install. Refer to instructions on oil filter for proper installation. 4. Fill crankcase with new oil to the appropriate level and replace oil fill cap. 5. Start the engine and check for leaks.
Follow this angle for sharpening Figure 6.5: Mower Blade Edge Balancing: Before blades are re-installed on the mower, they must be properly balanced. Balancing tools can be found at most hardware supply stores and are the recommended method for balancing blades. Alternatively, you can place the mower blade onto a vertical 5/8” bolt and observe any imbalance. Always correct imbalances before reinstalling the mower blades.
3. Check the mower for any components that need to be replaced and order them from your authorized Spartan dealer. 4. Thoroughly lubricate all components according to section 6.3 Lubrication. 5. Store the mower in a clean, dry place that is protected from the elements. 7.2 Engine Preparation NOTE: For specific engine storage guidelines refer to your mower's engine manual. Proper storage is essential to your mower engine's performance and longevity. 1. 2.
8.0 Troubleshooting TROUBLE Engine will not crank Engine cranks, but will not start or will not keep running POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTIONS 1. Safety switches not depressed 2. Battery installed incorrectly 3. Battery is dead or weak 4. Blown fuse or circuit breaker 5. Engine ground wire loose 6. Starter solenoid malfunction 1. Check all four safety switches. 2. Remove battery and reinstall 1. Throttle or choke not in starting position 2. Dirty fuel cleaner 3. Fuel valve is off 4.
TROUBLE Abnormal Vibration Blades Do Not Rotate Mower veers in one direction or creeps when in neutral or parked position POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTIONS 1. Engine mounting bolts are loose 2. Engine pulley, or blade pulley is loose 3. Engine pulley is damaged 4. Cutting blade is bent 5. A blade mounting bolt is loose 6. Spindle bearing is worn or loose 7. Spindle is bent 1. Deck drive belt is worn, loose or broken 2. Deck drive belt is off the pulley 3. Electric clutch is not engaging 1.
9.0 Error Codes 2.12 CONSOLE DIAGNOSTICS - When a fault is detected by the console it is displayed on the LCD as a numeric code. Below is a chart of the error codes and potential sources. Note: Some maintenance must be performed by authorized Spartan technicians. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your mower's warranty. ERROR CODE # Description 10 Continuous PTO clutch current too high – check PTO clutch coil resistance. 11 Function inhibited because continuous system current too high.
10.0 Service Record DATE SERVICE DATE SERVICE Operator Responsibility: You are responsible for reading and fully understanding the content within this manual prior to operating your mower. Any accidents that occur are the responsibility of the owner.
