Quick answer

Yes — contractors who hire out agricultural machinery, plant-hire firms and agricultural contracting businesses can use UK Business Loans to find suitable finance. We do not lend directly. Instead we take a short enquiry and match your business to lenders or brokers that specialise in farm equipment, contract work and seasonal funding. Start a Free Eligibility Check.

Why choose UK Business Loans for agriculture?

Finding the right finance for tractors, combines, trailers or a hire fleet is time-consuming. UK Business Loans simplifies that process by matching your details to lenders and brokers who understand agriculture and plant-hire business models.

• Fast matching — submit one short enquiry and we do the searching for you.
• Sector knowledge — we work with partners who have experience in farm equipment and contracting finance.
• Free & no obligation — our introduction service is free to use and you’re not tied in to any lender by enquiring.
• Loan sizes from around £10,000 — suitable for used or new equipment and working capital packages.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Who can apply? Eligibility explained

UK Business Loans works with a wide range of agricultural businesses. We can accept enquiries from companies and trading entities that operate machinery on a commercial basis and need finance for assets, working capital or seasonal cashflow.

Typical eligible business types

• Agricultural contractors (ploughing, harvesting, baling, spraying)
• Plant & machinery hire companies serving farms and rural businesses
• Farmers or farming businesses that run a machinery-hire side to their operations (subject to lender criteria)
• Contract sprayers, baling/harvesting contractors and haulage firms with farm-focused fleets
• Limited companies, partnerships and LLPs operating in the agricultural supply chain

Who might face challenges

• Businesses without any trading history — some lenders require 6–12 months trading, though specialist options exist.
• Businesses with recent insolvency or multiple CCJs — specialist lenders may consider but criteria are tighter.
• Very seasonal or low-turnover firms — suitable products (invoice finance, seasonal facilities) can help but underwriting will focus on cashflow forecasts.

Note: We do not lend directly. Provide a few details and we’ll match you to the best potential funders. Free Eligibility Check.

Types of finance available for agricultural contractors & machinery hire

Different finance products suit different needs. Below are common options for equipment-intensive agricultural businesses.

Asset finance / Hire Purchase

Hire purchase lets you spread the cost of a tractor, combine or trailer. You typically pay a deposit and fixed monthly repayments; ownership often transfers once the final payment is made. Ideal for businesses that want ownership at term end.

Finance lease & operating lease

Leases are useful for hire fleets. A finance lease is similar to HP but with different tax/accounting outcomes; an operating lease is more like rental — the lender retains ownership and you pay to use the asset.

Invoice finance

If you supply contracting services with invoices to farmers or businesses, invoice finance releases cash tied up in unpaid invoices — helping smooth seasonal income swings.

Seasonal working capital

Short-term facilities or revolving credit to bridge quiet months and peak seasons, tailored to harvest cycles and labour costs.

Commercial loans & refinance

Term loans for larger purchases or refinancing existing facilities to improve monthly cashflow or consolidate multiple agreements.

For an assessment of which option fits your business, Get Quote Now and we’ll connect you with relevant specialists.

For general sector guidance see our dedicated agriculture industry page on agriculture business loans.

What lenders look for

Underwriting across the panel varies but common criteria include:

• Business turnover and profitability (often the last 12–24 months)
• Length of trading — many lenders prefer at least 6–12 months trading
• Contracts, POs or hire agreements showing recurring income or utilisation
• Credit history for the business and principal directors
• Details of the equipment — make, model, age, mileage/hours and condition
• Deposit or equity in the deal (lower risk with a down payment)
• Maintenance records and valuations for used machinery

Initial enquiries do not trigger credit checks. Lenders may carry out affordability and credit checks only when you apply directly with them.

How the UK Business Loans process works (step-by-step)

1. Complete our short enquiry form — business details, loan amount and purpose (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match you to 1–3 lenders or brokers experienced in agricultural and equipment finance.
3. Matched partners contact you by phone or email to discuss options and request documents.
4. Review proposals and choose the offer that suits your cashflow and ownership goals. There’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Practical tips to improve approval chances

• Prepare recent accounts or management accounts and 3–6 months’ business bank statements.
• Have hire agreements, contracts or customer references available to show future income.
• Provide clear equipment details (photos, service history, valuations) for used assets.
• Create a simple seasonal cashflow forecast to show how repayments align with income cycles.
• Consider a modest deposit to reduce lender risk and improve pricing.
• Be transparent about past credit issues — some lenders specifically handle imperfect credit.

Typical timelines & costs

Response times and costs vary by product and complexity:

• Initial matching and contact: often within hours during business days; typically within 24–72 hours.
• Formal underwriting: simple asset finance can complete in 1–2 weeks; complex packages (large fleets, refinance) may take 3–6 weeks.
• Costs: interest rates and fees depend on product, lender and credit profile — asset-backed finance usually offers better rates than unsecured facilities. Always ask matched lenders for full pricing and APR before committing.

Mini case studies (realistic examples)

Case 1 — Combine harvester for a contracting business

A contract harvester needed a late-model used combine (£120,000). The business provided accounts, recent bank statements and a hire contract showing secured work. A broker sourced a hire purchase deal with a 20% deposit and a 5-year term; seasonal payment structuring matched harvest income.

Case 2 — Plant hire firm expanding fleet

A machinery hire firm required £75,000 to buy trailers and a service rig. Invoice finance was combined with asset finance to smooth seasonal cashflow and fund the purchase. The package reduced pressure on working capital and increased utilisation during the busy season.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply if I lease out machinery to farmers?

Yes. Lenders view hire income as trading revenue. Provide hire agreements, utilisation data and service records to support the case.

Will an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting a UK Business Loans enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you apply directly with them.

Do you lend directly?

No. We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers. You’ll deal with the lender/broker who contacts you after the match.

What loan sizes are available?

Through our partners loans typically start at around £10,000 and can extend to large sums for fleet or property-secured deals. Exact size depends on asset value and lender appetite.

How quickly will I get a quote?

You may be contacted within hours; a full proposal can take days or several weeks depending on the complexity of the deal.

Can new businesses apply?

Some lenders specialise in newer businesses but terms may differ. Provide robust forecasts and recent trading evidence where possible.

Ready to compare agriculture finance options?

Get a free, no-obligation eligibility check and let us match you to the lenders or brokers best suited to agricultural contractors and machinery hire businesses. It takes less than 2 minutes to submit your details.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check