Harvester finance for grain growers and harvest contractors
Headers, combine harvesters and front comb sets — financed on a chattel mortgage built around when the crop actually pays.
A harvester earns hard for a short window each season and sits idle the rest of the year, so the finance needs to match that rhythm rather than fight it. We structure the facility around harvest and grain-sale timing, so the repayment isn't due before the crop is. New, used or from a clearing sale — we can usually fund it.
Who it's for
Grain growers, broadacre croppers and harvest contractors.
A balloon that matches income to harvest, not the calendar
Grain income lands after harvest and sale, not evenly through the year. A balloon (residual) keeps the monthly repayment lower through the growing season, with more of the cost carried by the payment made once the crop is sold. At the end of term you refinance, pay out, or trade up.
Wrap the front comb and header into one facility
A harvester isn't much use without the front comb or header matched to your crop, and swapping between draper and auger fronts is common on mixed operations. These can usually be included in the same chattel mortgage as the harvester, so the complete harvesting setup is one asset and one repayment.
Established farming business? Skip the financials
If your ABN has been trading a couple of years, you're GST registered and a director owns property, harvester finance can often be arranged without tax returns or full financials, typically into six figures — usually enough for most headers and front combs.
Buying privately or at a clearing sale? We check the title
Harvesters bought through dealers, clearing sales or private sale are all commonly financed, including older or higher-hour units. On a private sale we run a PPSR check before settlement so you're confident the harvester is free of someone else's finance.
Get pre-approved before harvest season
Good headers move quickly ahead of harvest, whether through a dealer or at a clearing sale. A pre-approval sets your limit before you start looking, so you're not caught short once the season's close.
Own the harvester, claim the GST and depreciation
On a chattel mortgage your business owns the harvester from settlement, so you can generally claim the GST input tax credit on the purchase and depreciate the machine over its working life. Confirm how this applies to your farm's structure with your accountant.
Talk to a specialist
Get the right rate and the right structure for your next asset. No pressure to proceed, no credit-file hit to ask.
- Panel of commercial lenders
- Low-doc options for established ABNs
- Pre-approval before you buy
Work it out backwards.
Start with a repayment that keeps cash in your business and see what it finances — then we’ll line up the right rate to match.
A balloon lowers your monthly repayment and keeps cash in the business. ~30% is common; new vehicles can go to 40%.
Your rate depends on the asset, its age, your ABN and security. A guide, not a quote.
Estimate only, excluding fees and charges. Not a quote, offer, or credit assistance. Actual repayments depend on the lender’s assessment.
Common questions
Usually, yes. The front comb or header matched to your crop can typically be wrapped into the same chattel mortgage as the harvester, so the complete setup is covered in one repayment.
Explore more finance
Ready to move on your next asset?
Get pre-approved and negotiate as a cash-equivalent buyer — we'll handle the rate, the structure and the paperwork.