How Much Can You Borrow for a Crusher?

Key highlights

• Borrowing capacity hinges on serviceability, credit and the asset
• Established ABNs may access larger low-doc finance facilities
• A deposit or trade-in can lift the amount you qualify for
• Crushers as income-producing plant are often viewed favourably
• Comparing 80+ lenders reveals your real borrowing ceiling

What determines how much you can borrow?

Your borrowing limit for a crusher comes down to a few core factors. Lenders look at how long you have traded under your ABN, your credit history, and your capacity to service the repayments from business income. The asset matters too: a newer, mainstream crusher with strong resale value supports a larger advance than an old or niche machine, because the lender's security is stronger. Existing commitments and other equipment finance already on your books reduce headroom. For established, GST-registered businesses, low-doc facilities can reach substantial amounts without full financials, while larger requests usually need supporting documents. There is no single fixed cap, which is why comparing lenders matters, since each assesses capacity differently and one may stretch further than another for eligible applicants.

Is there a typical borrowing range for crushers?

Crushing plant sits at the higher-value end of equipment finance, and funding is available across a wide band. As a general guide, low-doc facilities can extend up to around $500,000 for well-established businesses, while full-doc applications backed by financials can reach well into the millions, with funding available from roughly $20k to $10M+ across the market. These figures are indicative and always subject to lender criteria and your profile. A single crusher might be funded on its own, or bundled with screening plant, conveyors and support equipment into one facility. What you can actually borrow depends far more on your business strength than on any headline number. The practical way to find your ceiling is to have a broker test your profile across the panel.

How does your deposit change your borrowing power?

A deposit does two things: it reduces the amount you need to borrow and it signals commitment to the lender, both of which can lift your effective borrowing power. Many crusher deals can be structured with little or no deposit for strong applicants, but offering a deposit or a trade-in machine may unlock a larger facility or a sharper rate. It also lowers your repayments and total interest, easing serviceability. If your profile is marginal — a newer ABN, a past credit blemish or lighter financials — a deposit can be the lever that turns a hesitant lender into an approval. Trading in older plant you are replacing is a common way to contribute equity without dipping into working capital. Simon can model how different deposits affect your outcome.

Does the crusher itself affect the amount?

Very much so. Because equipment finance is secured against the machine, the crusher's value, age and resale demand directly influence how much a lender will advance. A late-model unit from a recognised manufacturer with a healthy secondary market supports a higher loan-to-value position than an ageing or obscure machine. Lenders also consider the expected working life, since they want the loan repaid well before the crusher is retired. A machine with documented service history and moderate hours reassures the funder and can support more generous terms. For used or private-sale purchases, a valuation may set the funded amount. In short, a good asset strengthens your application, so the machine you choose interacts with your borrowing capacity, not just your budget.

How do lenders assess serviceability?

Serviceability is the lender's judgement that your business can comfortably meet the repayments. For low-doc applications, established ABNs and clean credit often let lenders take a lighter-touch view without full financials. For larger requests, they examine BAS lodgements, bank statements and financial statements to confirm income covers the new commitment alongside existing obligations. Consistent turnover, a healthy pipeline of crushing or civil contracts, and manageable existing debt all help. Lenders may add a buffer for interest movements and account for the seasonal nature of some crushing work. Presenting your business well — tidy books, evidence of contracts, and a clear explanation of how the crusher earns — improves how serviceability is viewed. A broker packages this properly so eligible applicants are assessed on their genuine strength.

Can you borrow for more than just the machine?

Often, yes. Beyond the crusher itself, some lenders will fund associated costs such as delivery, initial spare wear parts, screens, or complementary plant like conveyors and screening units, bundling them into one facility with a single repayment. This can be more efficient than arranging separate loans and keeps your cash free for operating costs. Whether a lender will include extras depends on their policy and the overall loan-to-value picture, so it is worth asking upfront. For contractors building out a complete crushing and screening spread, financing the package together can make setup more affordable. What is included and how it is structured varies by lender, which is another reason comparing the panel helps you find one whose appetite matches your plans.

How does comparing 80+ lenders raise your ceiling?

Every lender has its own credit appetite, serviceability model and view of crushing plant, so the amount you can borrow genuinely differs from one funder to the next. Go to a single bank and you get one answer, which may be conservative or an outright decline if crushers are outside their comfort zone. A broker comparing 80+ banks and non-bank lenders finds the funder whose policy best fits your profile and the machine, which frequently means a larger facility or better terms than your own bank would offer. Simon Kendrick matches your application to the lenders most likely to say yes and to stretch, then negotiates on your behalf. For eligible applicants, that broader view is often the difference between settling for less machine and funding the one you actually need.

Want to know what your business could genuinely borrow for a crusher before you start shortlisting machines? Simon Kendrick can run your profile across 80+ banks and non-bank lenders and give you an obligation-free borrowing estimate, using only a soft credit check so nothing marks your file. He will factor in your deposit, trade-in and the machine you have in mind, and show how each affects the amount available. That way you shop with a clear budget rather than guessing. For eligible applicants, indicative approvals can come through in 24 to 48 hours. Contact Overdrive Machinery Finance today and get a clear picture of your borrowing power before you start negotiating on a machine.