Log truck finance for forestry and timber-haulage contractors
Logging trucks and jinkers financed on a chattel mortgage built around harvest and haul-cycle cash flow.
A log truck earns on every load out of the coupe, so the finance should match the haulage contract and the harvest cycle paying for it. Whether you're running a single jinker or growing a small fleet servicing a mill contract, financing the truck keeps your cash for fuel, wages and maintenance. New or used — we can usually structure it around how your contract pays.
Who it's for
Forestry contractors, timber-haulage operators and owner-drivers servicing mill and harvest contracts.
A balloon bridges harvest and haul-cycle payment gaps
Mill and harvest contracts are often paid on a cycle that lags behind fuel, wages and maintenance costs, and forestry work can slow in wet weather. A balloon (residual) — commonly around 20-30% — lowers the monthly repayment and keeps reserves available to carry the truck through a quiet stretch. At term's end you refinance the balloon, pay it out, or upgrade.
Established ABN and property often means no financials
If your ABN has been active for 2+ years, you're GST registered and a director owns property, log truck finance can frequently be arranged with no tax returns, BAS or bank statements — often well into six figures. That's typically within range for a prime mover and jinker combination. We'll tell you honestly whether low-doc or a full submission gets the better outcome.
Get pre-approved before the truck comes up
Good used log trucks and jinkers move quickly through transport brokers and clearing sales. A pre-approval tells you your limit up front so you can act as a cash-equivalent buyer on the day. Sort the finance before the sale, not after.
Buying secondhand or through a private sale
Used log trucks and jinkers move through dealers, brokers and private sellers. A private sale usually needs a title (PPSR) check and a condition and chassis review before funds are released, which we handle as part of settlement. The truck's hours, chassis condition and jinker configuration shape which lender fits.
Own a log truck outright? Raise capital against it
If you already own a log truck free and clear, you can often borrow against it — typically up to around 90% of its current market value — to free up working capital for the next unit or a slow season. These deals are usually low-doc, and there's also sale-and-buyback within six months of a purchase.
Own the truck, claim the GST and depreciation
On a chattel mortgage your business owns the log truck from day one, so you can generally claim the GST input tax credit on the purchase and depreciate the vehicle over its working life. For a truck running hard on haulage contracts, that's typically a useful deduction. Confirm the detail with your accountant before you commit.
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
Yes. The jinker or trailer combination can usually be included in the same chattel mortgage as the prime mover, so the whole rig is covered in one repayment rather than financed separately.
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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.