Agricultural finance: can farms get quick loans for tractors, machinery or livestock?

Short answer: Yes — farms can often access quick finance for tractors, machinery and livestock. The fastest routes are asset finance (including hire purchase and finance lease), invoice finance and short-term working capital loans. Speed depends on the product, the lender’s requirements and how quickly you can provide key documents. For funding from about £10,000 upwards, a short enquiry can connect you with brokers and lenders able to give competitive quotes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Important: UK Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice and is not a lender. We introduce enquiries to third‑party lenders and brokers. Offers and eligibility depend on lender assessment. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score.

Table of contents

• At a glance — quick answer
• Common agricultural finance options
• How “quick” is quick? Typical timelines
• What lenders look for
• Documents & speed checklist
• Choosing the right product — pros & cons
• Costs, APR and tax basics
• Practical tips to speed approval
• How UK Business Loans helps
• FAQs
• Get started & micro-disclaimer

At a glance — quick answer

Common agricultural finance options for tractors, machinery and livestock

Asset finance / Equipment finance

Best for: buying new or used tractors, combines, balers, milking parlours, sheds and other capital equipment. How it works: the lender or funder provides finance against the asset; you repay over an agreed term. Options include hire purchase (HP), finance lease and asset refinancing. Many lenders will fund the full cost including VAT (for eligible businesses) and can complete funding in days to a few weeks once paperwork is complete.

Hire purchase and chattel mortgage

Hire purchase offers a clear pathway to ownership once final payment is made; repayments and deposit levels vary. Chattel mortgages are another secured purchase mechanism commonly used for plant and machinery; tax treatments and accounting differ, so discuss with your accountant or broker.

Unsecured business loans / short-term working capital

Best for: smaller purchases or urgent cash for a short period. These can be faster (subject to credit) but are usually only suitable for well-established businesses and typically come at higher interest rates than asset-backed finance.

Invoice finance & factoring

Useful where cashflow is tied up in customer invoices (e.g., contract work, grain sales to processors). Invoice finance can release cash within 24–48 hours once accounts are set up with the provider.

Livestock and stock finance

Specialist lenders offer livestock-specific facilities for purchasing breeding stock, store cattle or for seasonal restocking. Expect additional checks — veterinary records, valuations and biosecurity paperwork may be required.

Grants and government schemes

Occasional grants or capital schemes may apply to agricultural equipment (especially sustainability-focused machinery). These are not fast or guaranteed — check gov.uk and NFU guidance and combine grants with lender offers where possible.

For related funding types see our pages on asset finance, equipment finance and invoice finance.

How “quick” is quick? Typical timelines

Speed varies by product, lender and documentation quality. Typical timings (guidance only):

• Initial eligibility/quote: hours to same day (via lead introduction)
• Formal approval: 24 hours to 7 days
• Funding & delivery: same day to several weeks (supplier lead times, delivery or inspection may extend)

What lenders and brokers typically look for

Eligibility varies, but common underwriting factors include:

• Type of business (limited company or partnership) and length of trading (many lenders prefer at least 12 months but some specialist funders support newer operations)
• Turnover and affordability — lenders assess ability to repay
• Credit history (business and directors)
• Value and condition of the asset being financed
• Existing charges against the business or equipment
• Purpose of funds — capital purchase, seasonal stock, or working capital

Some specialist agricultural lenders accept seasonal income profiles, contract-backed accounts, and assets with strong resale value.

Documents to have ready — speed checklist

Preparing documents in advance accelerates approval:

• Company registration details and VAT registration (if applicable)
• Last 2 years’ accounts (or management accounts if recent)
• Bank statements (3–6 months)
• Supplier quote or pro forma invoice for the tractor/machinery/livestock
• Photo and specification of the asset (make, model, serial number)
• ID for directors (passport/driving licence)
• For livestock: health certificates, tags and valuation report if available

Quick action box: Get documents ready now — it could cut approval time from weeks to days.

Free Eligibility Check — takes 2 minutes and helps match you to lenders who can move fastest.

Choosing the right product — pros & cons

• Asset finance (HP/lease): Pros — preserves working capital, often includes VAT funding, spread cost over asset life. Cons — asset acts as security.
• Hire purchase: Pros — clear path to ownership. Cons — deposit may be required; asset is security until final payment.
• Invoice finance: Pros — immediate cash against sales ledger. Cons — fees vary with debtor quality and turnover.
• Unsecured business loan: Pros — no asset security in some cases; faster decisions. Cons — higher rates and often limited amounts.
• Livestock/stock finance: Pros — tailored to farm cycles. Cons — specialist underwriting and extra documentation.

Decision guide: need machinery quickly and want to preserve cash — consider asset finance. Need to cover a short seasonal gap — invoice finance or short-term loan may be better. Buying livestock — seek specialist livestock lenders or brokers.

Costs, APR and tax basics

Rates and fees depend on credit profile, asset age, deposit and loan term. Key points:

• APR varies widely — always compare total cost (interest + fees + arrangement charges).
• Deposit typically 0–30% depending on product and lender.
• VAT on new equipment is a consideration; some lenders include VAT in the finance amount.
• Match term length to the asset’s useful life — too short increases monthly cost; too long increases total interest.

Always ask for a representative APR and a full schedule of payments. UK Business Loans introduces you to lenders or brokers who will provide full terms for comparison.

Practical tips to speed approval and lower cost

1. Have the documents checklist ready before applying.
2. Choose equipment with strong resale value and common makes — lenders prefer these.
3. Work with a broker experienced in agriculture to access specialist funders quickly.
4. Obtain supplier quotes with clear VAT and delivery terms.
5. Request a soft eligibility check first — it won’t affect your credit score.

How UK Business Loans helps farms secure quick agricultural finance

We make the search simple and fast:

1. Complete a short enquiry (about 2 minutes) — no obligation.
2. We match your request to lenders and brokers experienced in agricultural finance.
3. Selected partners contact you with tailored quotes and next steps — often within hours during business times.

We only introduce your enquiry to partners we believe can help; we don’t lend or give regulated financial advice. Typical deals we help arrange start from around £10,000 and above.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a loan for a used tractor?

Yes. Many asset finance providers fund used machinery, provided it’s in good condition and has reasonable resale value. Age limits vary by lender and heavy wear or custom modifications can affect terms.

Can I get funding with poor credit?

Some specialist lenders and brokers consider businesses with adverse credit, but rates and terms may be less favourable. A broker familiar with agricultural lending can identify appropriate partners.

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Our initial enquiry is a soft enquiry and does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out formal credit checks later if you proceed with an application.

How much deposit is typically needed?

Often 0–30% depending on lender, product and asset condition. Finance options exist with no deposit for well-performing businesses and certain lenders.

Are there grants for farming equipment?

Occasionally — for example sustainability or productivity-focused schemes. Grants are competitive and restricted; check gov.uk and NFU for up-to-date schemes and timelines.

Get started — free, no-obligation quote

Ready to see fast, tailored finance options for tractors, machinery or livestock? Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you with the best lenders and brokers for your needs.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Micro-disclaimer: Submitting an enquiry does not commit you to borrow. UK Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice and is not a lender. We introduce your enquiry to third‑party lenders and brokers who will assess eligibility and provide full terms.

Written by Alex Turner
Finance specialist at UK Business Loans. Alex has 10+ years’ experience placing asset and commercial finance for UK SMEs, including specialist agricultural funding.

We work with brokers and lenders experienced in agriculture to help you compare options quickly and securely. For broader small-business funding options see our small business loans resource.

1. Can farms get quick loans for tractors, machinery or livestock? — Yes — farms can often secure quick agricultural finance via asset finance, invoice finance or short-term working capital loans, typically from about £10,000 upwards.

2. How fast can I get funding for farm equipment or tractors? — Speed varies by product and paperwork but invoice finance can be set up in 24–48 hours while asset finance approvals often take 24 hours to 7 days with funding/delivery sometimes taking longer.

3. What is the best type of finance for buying agricultural equipment? — Asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease or chattel mortgage) is usually best for tractors and machinery because it spreads cost and is secured against the equipment.

4. Can I get finance for used tractors and second‑hand machinery? — Yes — many lenders fund used equipment provided the machine’s age, condition and resale value meet the lender’s criteria.

5. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score? — No — the initial enquiry is a soft eligibility check and won’t affect your credit score, although formal lender checks may occur later if you proceed.

6. What documents should I have ready to speed up an agricultural loan? — Have company registration, recent accounts or management accounts, 3–6 months bank statements, supplier quotes, asset photos/specs and ID for directors (plus livestock health/valuation paperwork where relevant).

7. Can farms with poor credit still get agricultural finance? — Some specialist lenders and brokers do work with adverse credit profiles, but terms may be less favourable so using an experienced agricultural broker is recommended.

8. How much deposit will I typically need for equipment finance? — Deposits commonly range from 0–30% depending on lender, asset age and product, with some lenders offering zero-deposit deals for strong applicants.

9. Are there grants or government schemes to help buy farm machinery? — Occasionally — especially for sustainability or productivity projects, so check gov.uk, NFU guidance and consider combining grants with lender finance.

10. How does UK Business Loans help me find the right agricultural finance? — UK Business Loans is a free introducer that matches your short enquiry to vetted UK lenders and brokers specialising in agricultural finance who then provide tailored quotes and next steps.