Equipment finance for farms — can you fund tractors & agricultural machinery via UK Business Loans?
Short answer: Yes — farms and agricultural businesses can arrange finance for tractors, combines and other farm machinery via UK Business Loans’ introducer service. We don’t provide loans ourselves; we match businesses seeking equipment finance (typically from £10,000 upwards) with specialist UK lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes and terms. Complete a quick, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll match you to the lender or broker most likely to help. Get a Free Eligibility Check.
What is equipment finance?
Equipment finance covers a set of borrowing and leasing options that let businesses acquire machinery, vehicles or kit without paying the full cash price up front. For farms this typically includes tractors, combines, balers, telehandlers, sprayers, slurry tanks, trailers and specialist attachments.
- Hire Purchase (HP) — you pay a deposit then monthly instalments and own the asset at the end of the term.
- Finance Lease — a long-term lease where the lender retains ownership; often used to manage balance sheet and tax timing.
- Operating Lease (Agri‑leasing) — rental-style leases with no transfer of ownership; good for keeping technology current.
- Seasonal repayment HP — repayments structured around harvest and cashflow cycles for farming.
- Sale‑and‑leaseback / asset refinance — release cash from equipment you already own.
If you’d like a quick appraisal of which option suits your farm, get a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with lenders or brokers who specialise in agricultural asset finance.
Can farms get financing for tractors & agricultural equipment?
Yes. Most established farming businesses and agricultural companies can access equipment finance through our introducer service. We work with lenders and brokers experienced in agriculture who lend against the value of the machinery and assess applications on business fundamentals rather than consumer criteria.
Typical eligibility (high level)
- Business types we serve: limited companies, partnerships and LLPs operating in agriculture. (We do not handle specialist professional-only lending.)
- Minimum typical finance size: from around £10,000 upward — we focus on mid-size and larger equipment finance.
- Trading history: many lenders prefer at least 6–12 months trading, though specialist funders may consider newer businesses with strong contracts.
- Credit profile: good credit helps, but there are lenders and brokers who can work with imperfect histories; terms will vary.
- Documentation: recent bank statements, supplier quotes / invoices, basic company accounts or management accounts for larger deals.
Common items financed include tractors, combines, balers, seed drills, sprayers, telehandlers, livestock handling kit and trailers. For more detailed guidance on structures and lenders we can connect you with, see our page on equipment finance.
Get a Free Eligibility Check and one of our agricultural finance partners will call or email to discuss options.
Which finance options suit farms best?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Choice depends on whether you want ownership, tax treatment, cashflow flexibility and how seasonal your income is.
Quick comparison
- Hire Purchase (HP) — Best when you want to own the equipment eventually. Pros: predictable repayments; you own at the end. Cons: higher monthly cost than some leases; asset on your balance sheet.
- Finance Lease — Best for businesses wanting finance without immediate ownership. Pros: flexible terms; potential tax benefits via lease accounting. Cons: you don’t automatically own the asset.
- Operating Lease / Agri‑leasing — Best if you prefer to upgrade equipment regularly and preserve cash. Pros: off‑balance, lower monthly payments. Cons: no ownership; long‑term cost can be higher.
- Seasonal repayment HP — Tailored repayments that align with peaks (e.g., post‑harvest) to ease cashflow.
- Sale‑and‑leaseback — Release capital from owned equipment by selling it to a funder and leasing it back.
Tax and VAT treatment of equipment finance varies depending on the structure and your accountant’s advice — we recommend discussing tax with your adviser. If you’d like specialist help, our introducer service can connect you with brokers who explain VAT and capital allowance implications.
How UK Business Loans helps farms
We act as a fast introducer: you provide a few business details and we match you to the lenders or brokers who specialise in agricultural equipment finance. We do not lend directly.
How it works (4 steps)
- Complete a short enquiry form (takes under 2 minutes).
- We match your request to selected UK lenders and specialist agri‑brokers in our network.
- Matched partners contact you with tailored quotes or next‑step questions.
- You select the lender/broker you prefer and complete any direct application with them.
Benefits: quicker matches to sector‑specialist partners, fewer wasted applications, confidential and no obligation. Start now with a Free Eligibility Check.
What lenders look for & how to prepare
Being prepared speeds approvals and improves terms. Below is a practical checklist to have ready when you enquire.
Application checklist
- Business name, registration number and address.
- Basic trading history and VAT status (is equipment VAT‑able?).
- Recent business bank statements (usually 3–6 months).
- Supplier quote or pro‑forma invoice showing model/spec and total cost.
- Management accounts or statutory accounts for larger deals.
- Details of any existing finance agreements on the business or assets.
Tips to improve approval chances
- Provide clear supplier quotes that include delivery and installation where applicable.
- Consider a modest deposit — this lowers lender risk and can improve rates.
- Ask about seasonal repayment profiles if your income is cyclical.
- Use a specialist broker when equipment is used/older — they know which funders accept higher equipment ages.
Once you submit our form, matched partners may request the documents above to provide an accurate quote.
Costs, APRs & repayment examples
Rates depend on lender, term, deposit, equipment age and your business credit. Below are illustrative, anonymised examples to give a sense of scale — these are examples only and not offers.
- Example A — New tractor
Purchase price £80,000. HP with 10% deposit (£8,000), 60‑month term, hypothetical rate results in monthly repayments in the region of £1,300–£1,800. Final figures depend on the lender’s rate and fees. - Example B — Used baler
Purchase price £12,000. Shorter term or higher rate may apply; monthly repayments could be several hundred pounds depending on deposit and term.
Representative APRs vary widely. UK Business Loans does not set rates — lenders will supply full APRs and contract terms. When you proceed with a lender, they must give full cost disclosures and APR before you sign.
Common questions (FAQ)
- Can farms finance both new and used tractors?
- Yes. Many lenders finance used machinery, though age limits and valuation methods vary. Specialist agri funders may accept older kit; a broker can find the right funder.
- Does enquiring affect my credit score?
- No — submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run credit checks later in the application process, with your permission.
- Do you lend directly?
- No. UK Business Loans is an introducer — we connect you with lenders and finance brokers who provide and administer the finance.
- What minimum amount can I apply for?
- We focus on equipment deals from around £10,000 and upwards. For smaller purchases you may prefer finance products targeted at lower-value equipment.
- Can delivery, VAT or installation be included in the finance?
- Often yes — include these costs on the supplier quote so lenders can price the total finance package accurately.
- How long before I get quotes?
- Responses vary, but matched lenders/brokers often contact applicants within hours or a few business days depending on complexity.
Start your free eligibility check — it takes around two minutes.
Trust, privacy & compliance
UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. We connect businesses with reputable UK lenders and brokers who provide finance offers directly. Use of our service is free and without obligation. Lenders and brokers will provide final terms and may perform credit checks if you proceed.
We handle your details securely and only share them with selected partners who can assist with your enquiry. Submitting an enquiry does not commit you to an application with any lender.
Get a quote — next steps
Ready to explore finance for a tractor or other farm equipment? Complete our quick enquiry (under 2 minutes) and we’ll match your business to the most appropriate lenders and brokers for agricultural equipment finance. Expect fast, no‑obligation quotes by phone or email from partners experienced in farming finance.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. UK Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender. Lenders will provide final terms, fees and APRs.
1. Can farms get finance for tractors and other agricultural machinery through UK Business Loans?
Yes — UK Business Loans’ introducer service matches farms with specialist UK lenders and brokers who can finance new and used tractors, combines and other agricultural kit, typically from around £10,000 upwards.
2. What types of equipment finance are available for agricultural businesses?
Common options include Hire Purchase (HP), finance leases, operating (agri) leases, seasonal repayment HP and sale‑and‑leaseback arrangements depending on ownership and tax preferences.
3. How much can I borrow for farm equipment and what’s the minimum?
Equipment finance through our partners typically starts at around £10,000 and can scale much higher depending on the lender, asset and borrower profile.
4. Will submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing our free eligibility check and enquiry does not affect your credit score, though lenders may run credit checks later with your permission.
5. Do you provide the loans directly or just connect me to lenders?
We do not lend money; we act as an introducer and match your farm with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers who provide finance offers directly.
6. Can I finance used or older agricultural machinery?
Yes — many specialist agri‑funders and brokers will finance used kit, though age limits and terms vary so a broker can find the most appropriate funder.
7. What documents and information do lenders usually require for equipment finance?
Lenders typically ask for business details, 3–6 months of bank statements, a supplier quote or pro‑forma invoice, and management or statutory accounts for larger deals.
8. Can I include VAT, delivery and installation costs in the equipment finance?
Often yes — include VAT, delivery and installation on the supplier quote so lenders can price the total finance package accurately.
9. How quickly will I receive quotes after submitting an equipment finance enquiry?
Matched lenders and brokers commonly respond within hours or a few business days depending on the deal complexity and required documentation.
10. Can repayments be structured around seasonal farm income like harvest periods?
Yes — many lenders offer seasonal repayment profiles or tailored HP schedules designed to align repayments with agricultural cashflow cycles.
