Notes from the paddock, the pit and the yard
Finance for the machine
that earns its keep
Excavators, loaders, tractors and harvesters cost serious money and work to the seasons. This guide explains how machinery finance tends to work, in language you would use on site.
Start a finance enquiryStart with the guides- Free to enquire
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- Plain-English guides
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Four chapters
Read them in order, or jump to the one that matches your job.
Excavators & loaders
What lenders look at on earthmoving iron, new versus used, and how contracts and utilisation shape the numbers.
Read chapter I
Tractors & harvesters
Farm machinery finance, trade-ins and why a header does not behave like a ute loan.
Read chapter II
Seasonal repayments
Cash flow that arrives in lumps. How seasonal and irregular repayment structures work, and their trade-offs.
Read chapter III
GST & tax basics
The questions to ask your accountant about GST credits, depreciation and how a finance structure is treated.
Read chapter IVReading the seasons
Most machinery businesses do not earn evenly. A general picture of when cash tends to move:
Illustrative generalisations only. Your own cash flow is the one that matters.
From the field notes
Recent articles for buyers and operators.
- Seasonal cash flow
Harvest-timed repayments: seven questions to ask before you sign
Paying a machine off when the grain is sold sounds neat. These questions help you see the real shape of the deal.
- Buying
Reading the hour meter: what the number does and does not tell you
Hours are the headline figure on every used machine ad. They are useful, but only if you read them alongside everything else.
- Excavators
What a lender sees when you finance a second-hand excavator
Age, hours and the end-of-term date matter more than most buyers expect. Here is how a used excavator looks from the other side of the desk.
Short answers
Is this site a lender or a broker?
No. Finance For A Machine is a general-information guide. It does not lend money, arrange finance or give advice. When you want to start an enquiry, the contact page points you to a separate finance service.
Can I get finance for a used excavator or tractor?
Many lenders consider used machinery, but age, hours, condition and the seller all affect whether and on what terms. Each lender sets its own criteria and every application is subject to approval.
Can repayments follow my harvest or seasonal income?
Some lenders offer seasonal or irregular repayment structures, usually for agricultural or seasonal businesses. Availability depends on the lender and your circumstances, so ask about it directly.
Do I need an accountant before I buy?
It is sensible to speak with one. GST credits, depreciation and the structure you buy under all have tax consequences that depend on your own situation.
Ready to ask about finance?
Start an enquiry through our finance partner, or list the machine you are replacing on a national marketplace.
Start a finance enquirySell your old machineFree to enquire, no obligation. Finance is subject to lender approval. Fees, charges and terms apply. Independent info: ASIC MoneySmart.