A new collaboration between Vanguard and Classen is bringing battery-driven solutions to the turf care industry. Classen’s new TR-20eV Turf Rake is now powered by the Vanguard 48V 1.5kWh (Si1.5) swappable battery pack, offering a quiet, emission-free alternative for commercial turf renovation. The selection of the Vanguard Si1.5 battery pack was the result of a close partnership focused on meeting specific application and performance needs, according to the company.
“We chose the Vanguard Si1.5 because of the collaborative and solutions-focused approach their team brought to the table. From the start, it felt like a true partnership,” said Gina Putnam, director of sales and marketing at Classen. “The Vanguard team worked closely with us to understand our application needs and support the development of a reliable, battery-powered platform. Beyond the strong technical collaboration, the Si1.5 battery offered competitive pricing and delivered productivity metrics that aligned well with our expectations. It checked all the boxes for what we needed to confidently bring this next generation of Classen equipment to market.”
The Classen TR-20eV turf rake aims to address key challenges for customers like municipalities, parks departments and universities. By eliminating gasoline, it meets the demand for sustainable equipment, reducing both emissions and long-term operational costs. Its quiet operation is ideal for noise-sensitive areas like schools and public parks, simplifying daily work, according to Vanguard.
“We are thrilled to partner with a respected brand like Classen as they advance their line of turf equipment. The Si1.5 battery pack is engineered for exactly these types of demanding commercial applications where uptime, durability and versatility are critical,” said David Frank, senior vice president and president of electrification at Briggs and Stratton. “Its exchangeable design is key, allowing operators to easily swap batteries on the jobsite to reduce downtime while achieving a standard charge time of just 75 minutes with a compatible Vanguard charger. The battery’s versatility is a major asset; its standard interface allows it to power multiple product platforms. Like all Vanguard products, the Si1.5 is rigorously tested to ensure it can withstand tough environments, abuse, debris and dirt.”
Early feedback from contractors who have tested the new battery-powered turf rake has been overwhelmingly positive, according to the company. Operators report that the machine dethatches just as effectively as its gas-powered predecessors while offering significant advantages.
The successful integration was facilitated by a deeply collaborative process: “Working with the Vanguard team was a truly supportive experience,” Putnam said. “Their responsiveness, technical expertise and customer-first mindset played a big role in helping us bring this new line of battery-powered turf renovation equipment to market successfully.”
The new TR-20eV Turf Rake powered by the Si1.5 battery will be on display at the National Parks and Recreation Exhibition and Conference in the Schiller Grounds Care booth (#529), Sept. 16-17 in Orlando, Fla.
