Farming loans — Do UK Business Loans partners finance irrigation systems, grain dryers, milking parlours and robotics?

Summary (short answer): Yes — UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers that commonly finance irrigation systems, grain dryers, milking parlours and farm robotics. Typical funding routes are asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), manufacturer/vendor finance, and tailored agri term loans. Which route suits you depends on the asset (new or used), cost, expected life, and your farm’s finances. Complete a short enquiry for a free eligibility check and a fast quote from specialist agri lenders and brokers: Get Quote Now.

Quick summary — the short answer

• Irrigation systems: widely fundable via asset finance, leasing or agri loans.
• Grain dryers: commonly funded (hire purchase or asset finance) with seasonal repayment options available.
• Milking parlours & dairy plant: frequently financed; larger installs often placed with specialist agri lenders or vendor finance.
• Robotics & automation: increasingly fundable via manufacturer/vendor finance, leasing or traditional asset finance when a clear ROI is shown.

Free Eligibility Check

Which types of finance are used for farm equipment?

Agricultural equipment is usually funded through a small set of mainstream routes. The right product depends on cost, ownership preference, the asset’s useful life and seasonal cashflow.

• Asset finance / Hire Purchase — spread the cost; you typically own the asset at the end of the term.
• Finance lease — often treated off-balance sheet for businesses that prefer not to record the asset as owned.
• Chattel mortgage — secured against the equipment; useful for higher‑value used purchases.
• Term loans / business loans — for mixed or higher-value projects (infrastructure plus equipment).
• Manufacturer/vendor finance — commonly used for robotics and specialised dairy plant; sometimes promotional rates or flexible deposit terms are offered.
• Seasonal facilities & invoice finance — help manage cashflow around harvest and sales cycles.
• Grants & blended funding — water‑efficiency or sustainability grants can sometimes reduce borrowing needs; ask a broker who knows the sector.

How lenders assess finance for farm equipment (what they look for)

Lenders and brokers assess both the business and the asset. For specialist items (robotics, large dairy plant) they focus on resale value and obsolescence risk.

• Business type and structure (limited company, partnership, established farms with trading history are preferred).
• Trading history, turnover and profitability; new farms may need larger deposits or specialist start-up facilities.
• Seasonal income profile and cashflow forecasts.
• Credit history (business and director(s) credit information may be considered).
• Asset details: age, make/model, warranty, maintenance package and expected useful life.
• Value and resale potential — especially important for robotics and specialist dairy equipment.
• Clear business case demonstrating productivity gains, cost savings or revenue uplift for high-cost purchases.

Equipment-specific notes (what matters per item)

Irrigation systems

Irrigation ranges from small pump-and-pipe installs to large pivot or drip systems. Costs vary from a few thousand to £100,000+ depending on scale and automation.

Best finance routes: asset finance or leasing; some projects combine grant funding for water-efficiency. Lenders will want installation details, water abstraction licences (where applicable), supplier contracts and evidence of yield improvements or savings.

Grain dryers

Grain dryer finance reflects seasonality. Smaller portable dryers are treated like standard plant; larger fixed dryers and associated civil works often require bespoke packaging.

Typical route: hire purchase or asset finance. Specialist lenders understand seasonal receipts and can offer repayment schedules aligned to harvest income.

Milking parlours & dairy plant

Dairy parlours, bulk tanks and processing plant are high-value and sometimes integrated with farm buildings. For parlour replacements or expansion, lenders expect to see herd size, production history and robust quotations from suppliers.

Common solutions: asset finance, vendor/manufacturer finance (especially for parlour heads and automated systems), or a blended approach for infrastructure plus equipment.

Robotics & automation (robotic milkers, feeders, sensors, autonomous machinery)

Robotics and automation are increasingly fundable. Manufacturers often provide vendor finance packages that understand the productivity benefits and maintenance plans. Lenders will ask for a clear ROI case, warranty/servicing details and consideration of obsolescence risk.

Used robotics can be financed but are scrutinised more closely for secondary market value and spare-parts support.

Typical loan sizes, terms and what to expect (guidance)

• Irrigation: approx. £5,000–£150,000 depending on scale.
• Grain dryers: approx. £10,000–£250,000.
• Milking parlours & dairy infrastructure: from £30,000 to £1m+ for large installations.
• Robotics & automation: typically £20,000–£500,000+, depending on fleet size and integration.

Terms vary — asset finance is commonly 2–7 years, while very large dairy projects may be structured over longer terms. Interest rates and fees depend on lender, credit profile and security; get a personalised quote to compare options.

Documentation lenders commonly request

• Supplier quote or pro‑forma invoice (detailed costs and installation dates).
• Business accounts (typically last 1–3 years) or management accounts for newer businesses.
• Bank statements (commonly 3–6 months).
• Proof of identity and address for directors/partners.
• VAT registration details (if applicable).
• Business plan or cashflow forecast for higher value or innovative purchases (especially robotics).

Get Quote Now

Practical tips to improve your chance of approval

• Supply a clear supplier quotation and breakdown of costs.
• Prepare up-to-date accounts or management accounts and recent bank statements.
• Show a concise ROI statement — how the equipment increases productivity or reduces costs.
• Consider a deposit to reduce lender risk and possibly improve terms.
• Use an agri specialist broker — they know which lenders accept seasonal income profiles and which manufacturers offer vendor finance.
• Include warranties and maintenance contracts in the application — lenders favour professional installation and ongoing support.

How UK Business Loans helps (our process)

We act as an introducer to lenders and brokers who specialise in business and agricultural equipment finance. We don’t lend directly.

1. Complete a short enquiry form — this is information-only and not a loan application (takes less than 2 minutes).
2. We match your request to lenders and brokers that best fit your asset type and business profile.
3. You receive a free eligibility check and quotes — often within hours for straightforward cases.
4. Compare offers, pick the best fit and proceed with the chosen lender/broker to complete any formal application.

Note: UK Business Loans organises finance for projects typically from £10,000 and upwards. For a fast, no‑obligation eligibility check and to be matched with specialist providers, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

For broader industry guidance and related support options, see our farming guidance pages on farming loans for specialist agricultural finance: farming loans.

FAQs

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — our initial enquiry is information-only and does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may run credit checks later with your permission as part of a full application.

Can new farms or startups get equipment finance?

Yes. Start-up or recently established farms can access finance, but expect some lenders to require higher deposits, personal guarantees or specialist start-up lenders/brokers. We’ll match you to appropriate partners.

Are grants available to help with irrigation or robotics?

Occasionally — water‑efficiency and sustainability grants are available at regional or national level. Specialist brokers on our panel can advise whether grant blending is possible for your project.

How quickly will I get a quote?

For straightforward equipment purchases, initial eligibility checks and indicative quotes often arrive within hours. Complex, large or bespoke projects may take longer.

Ready to find the right lender for your farm equipment?

Complete our short enquiry form — it’s not an application, just information we use to match you with the best lenders and brokers for your needs. It takes less than two minutes and is free with no obligation. Free Eligibility Check

1. What types of finance are available for farm equipment in the UK?
Asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), chattel mortgages, term/business loans, manufacturer/vendor finance, seasonal facilities and grant-blended packages are the common routes.

2. Do lenders finance irrigation systems, grain dryers, milking parlours and farm robotics?
Yes — specialist agri lenders, vendor finance partners and brokers routinely fund these assets, subject to asset age, value, business finances and lender criteria.

3. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — the short enquiry is information-only and won’t affect your credit score; lenders or brokers may run credit checks later with your consent.

4. How quickly will I get an eligibility check or quote?
For straightforward equipment purchases you can often receive an initial eligibility response and indicative quotes within hours, while complex projects may take longer.

5. Can start‑up or newly established farms get equipment finance?
Yes — start-ups can access finance but may face higher deposits, personal guarantees or be best matched with specialist start‑up lenders or brokers.

6. What documents do lenders commonly request for farm equipment finance?
Typically a supplier quote or pro‑forma invoice, recent business accounts or management accounts, 3–6 months of bank statements, ID for directors, VAT details and cashflow forecasts for larger projects.

7. Can I finance used or refurbished agricultural machinery and robotics?
Yes — used equipment can be financed, but lenders scrutinise age, resale value, maintenance history and spare‑parts support more closely and may adjust terms accordingly.

8. Are grants available to help reduce the amount I need to borrow for irrigation or robotics?
Occasionally — regional and national water‑efficiency or sustainability grants may be available and specialist brokers can advise on grant blending with finance.

9. What loan sizes, terms and repayment options should I expect for farm equipment?
Typical ranges are irrigation £5k–£150k, grain dryers £10k–£250k, dairy parlours £30k–£1m+, robotics £20k–£500k+, with asset finance usually 2–7 years and bespoke terms for large projects or seasonal repayment schedules.

10. Is UK Business Loans a lender and does it cost to use the service?
No — UK Business Loans is a free introducer that matches you with FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders; we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice.