Combine harvester finance — hire purchase, seasonal repayments, and used machine options

A used combine harvester typically costs between £80,000 and £200,000 depending on age, make, hours, and specification. A well-maintained five-year-old machine from a recognised manufacturer with under 2,000 separator hours can sit in the £120,000 to £160,000 range, while older machines with higher hours can be found for £60,000 to £90,000. Headers are usually priced separately and can add £20,000 to £70,000 depending on width and type. We can arrange finance for the combine and header as a package or separately.

Yes. Seasonal HP structures are available from specialist agricultural lenders and are well suited to combine finance. A typical structure might involve low or deferred payments from October to May, with larger payments falling in July through September when harvest income arrives. Some lenders also offer annual or quarterly payment options. The exact structure depends on your crop mix, harvest timing, and the lender, but we will present the options that best align with your farm's income cycle.

A balloon HP agreement defers a portion of the combine's value, often 20 to 30 percent, as a lump sum payable at the end of the term. This reduces the regular monthly or seasonal payments throughout the agreement, making it easier to service the finance from harvest income. At the end, you pay the balloon and own the machine outright, refinance the outstanding amount, or trade in the combine at a dealer. Balloon HP is popular for high-value combines because it brings the monthly commitment down to a level that is manageable in years when margins are tighter.

Not necessarily. We can arrange combined finance packages that include the machine and one or more headers as a single facility, which simplifies the agreement and may reduce overall costs. Some lenders will finance headers as part of the combine agreement; others prefer to treat them as separate assets. Where headers are financed separately, they can typically be funded on the same hire purchase or finance lease terms as the combine itself, over a shorter term if preferred given their faster wear profile.

Lenders assess combine harvesters on both age and hours worked. As a general guide, machines under five years old with under 2,000 separator hours attract the widest lender choice and the most competitive rates. Between five and ten years with under 3,000 hours, a good selection of specialist agricultural lenders will still compete. Beyond ten years or over 3,500 hours, options narrow and deposits tend to be higher, though some specialist lenders will still consider well-maintained, high-spec machines on a case-by-case basis. We will tell you honestly what is realistic before you make any commitments.

Yes, though auction finance has a few additional steps. You will typically need to bid with confidence that finance is in principle agreed before the sale. We can arrange indicative approval in advance of the auction, subject to inspection of the specific lot. After the hammer falls, the lender will confirm the advance against the final price and condition. Auction purchases can move quickly, so contacting us before the sale date is important to have the necessary groundwork in place.