Superior Cut on Low Emissions

Allett Mowers Ltd is a British manufacturer of precision cylinder mowers and turf-care equipment, supplying professional users across sports venues, historic landscapes, and fine-turf environments. With more than 60 years of engineering experience, the company is known for delivering the consistent cutting performance and high-quality finish standards required for professional applications.

Allett’s OMNIA range is a modular, walk-behind professional mower platform designed to perform multiple fine-turf tasks, including mowing, scarifying, verticutting, brushing, and aeration, using a single battery-powered drive unit. The system is aimed at professional turf managers who require versatility and precision, while reducing noise, emissions, and operator fatigue without compromising performance.

As demand increased for low-noise, low-emission equipment, Allett began to further develop the OMNIA professional mower platform with the aim of matching petrol-powered performance while improving operator comfort and reducing environmental impact. After evaluating available power solutions, Allett selected Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard commercial lithium-ion battery systems, as they provide consistent power delivery, robust construction, and features suited to professional applications. The use of both the Vanguard 48V 1.5kWh (Si1.5) swappable and 48V 3.5kWh (Fi3.5) fixed commercial battery packs, allows the machine to be configured based on customer requirements and runtime needs.

When development began, one of the key challenges was replacing petrol power without loss of performance. Professional cylinder mowing requires consistent torque, stable power delivery, and precise speed control, particularly when working in dense grass conditions or using multiple cartridge attachments. Earlier battery solutions often struggled to match petrol engines in these conditions. Vanguard lithium-ion technology provides stable output across the operating range, ensuring consistent performance under load.

At the same time, Allett aimed to reduce the mechanical complexity associated with petrol-driven systems. Traditional drive-trains rely on belts, chains, and gear components, increasing service requirements and limiting design flexibility. The new system needed to integrate cleanly into a modular chassis without affecting machine balance or serviceability.

The electric drive system also allows for more precise speed control, thereby improving handling and operator control during use. By adopting a battery-first design approach, Allett was able to simplify the machine architecture. The elimination of belts, chains, fuel systems, and related components reduces mechanical complexity, lowers the number of service points, and improves overall reliability.

Operator use was another important consideration. Professional users work with these machines for extended periods each day, where noise, vibration, starting effort, and handling all contribute to fatigue. Improving operator comfort without reducing performance was a key requirement.

In addition, many customers work in noise-sensitive and emissions-restricted environments such as stadiums, schools, cemeteries, and urban green spaces. Petrol-powered equipment increasingly conflicted with these requirements, as well as wider sustainability targets.

To address these challenges, Allett worked closely with Briggs & Stratton to integrate Vanguard lithium-ion battery systems, enabling a battery-first design approach.

Mark Kerr, OEM Sales Manager UK & IE at Briggs & Stratton explains: “Professional turf equipment requires consistent torque, reliable power delivery, and the ability to operate under varying load conditions. Our Vanguard battery systems are designed to provide stable output across the full operating range, supporting demanding commercial applications whilst being extremely robust.”

To support long operating hours, the Vanguard Si1.5 battery pack is a swappable solution, allowing operators to quickly exchange batteries and continue working with minimal interruption. With two batteries and a charger, this enables near-continuous operation throughout the working day.

For applications where longer runtime is required without the necessity of recharging during the day, the Vanguard Fi3.5 battery pack provides higher capacity, supporting extended operation from a single battery.

Both battery packs are designed for commercial use, featuring robust aluminium die-cast housings and resistance to impact and handling associated with daily operation. This durability was a key requirement for Allett during development. In addition, Vanguard battery packs are supported by an 8-year limited commercial warranty, providing long-term reliability in professional use. This extended coverage reduces total cost of ownership by allowing the equipment to remain in service for longer, while providing support in the event of faults and reducing the need for early replacement.

The integration of Vanguard battery systems has delivered clear results in professional use. The OMNIA platform achieves petrol-equivalent performance across all supported applications, with consistent output maintained over extended operating periods.

Operators benefit from reduced noise and vibration, as well as simplified starting and operation. This improves working conditions and reduces fatigue, particularly during long working days.

The removal of fuel-related systems also reduces downtime associated with starting, carburation, and fuel storage issues, while eliminating local CO₂ emissions and exhaust fumes, improving machine availability and the operator’s working environment during peak use.

Austin Jarrett, Managing Director at Allett Mowers Ltd, says: “The OMNIA platform was designed to deliver professional performance without compromise. Working with Vanguard allowed us to achieve the output and reliability our customers expect, while significantly reducing noise, vibration and maintenance requirements. This is something that hasn’t been possible with previous battery solutions.”

For Allett, Vanguard battery technology provides a practical solution for professional turf equipment, delivering the performance required for demanding applications while reducing environmental impact and improving usability.

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