Mobile Screener Finance: Rates & How It Works

Key highlights

• Mobile screener finance funds tracked and wheeled units for eligible ABN holders
• Indicative rates from around 6.55% p.a., subject to lender assessment
• Chattel mortgage, lease and rental structures suit different tax and cash-flow needs
• Screeners can be financed alongside crushers as a plant package
• Comparing 80+ lenders on one application sharpens your offer

How does mobile screener finance work?

Mobile screener finance is commercial equipment lending secured against the machine. You choose the screener, the lender pays the supplier, and you repay over an agreed term, commonly three to five years, while the unit earns processing material. Because the asset provides security, you generally avoid tying up property or working capital. The most common structure is a chattel mortgage, where you own the screener from day one and the lender registers an interest until the final payment. Lease and rental options exist too. Screeners are often bought alongside crushers, and a lender can sometimes fund both within one facility, simplifying repayments and strengthening the overall security package.

What indicative rates apply to mobile screeners?

For well-qualified applicants, indicative rates start from around 6.55% p.a., subject to assessment. Your actual rate reflects whether the screener is new or used, its age and hours, your deposit, trading history and the term. A newer tracked screener from a recognised manufacturer financed by an established business with strong financials sits at the sharper end, while an older unit or a thinner credit file prices higher. Crushing and screening plant can attract slightly more conservative pricing on older units because the resale market is specialised. Comparing 80+ lenders on one application helps find those most comfortable with screening assets, which directly affects your rate.

Which structure suits your operation?

Structure should follow your accounting and cash flow. A chattel mortgage gives ownership from day one and is popular where you want the screener on your balance sheet and to claim GST on the purchase up front, subject to your accountant's advice. A finance lease or rental keeps repayments predictable and can suit businesses that refresh equipment or want to preserve borrowing capacity. A balloon or residual reduces monthly repayments in exchange for a lump sum at term's end. Because screening throughput and income can be seasonal or project-based, some lenders consider structured repayments; raising this early helps align repayments with when your processed material actually sells.

What do lenders assess?

Lenders look at you and the machine together. On your side they weigh ABN age, GST registration, credit history, existing commitments and serviceability. On the asset side they consider the screener's make, age, hours and resale strength, since a machine with a broader market is easier to fund. Recognised manufacturers and versatile screen configurations are generally viewed favourably. Because processing can be contract or site-dependent, demonstrating steady throughput or supply contracts strengthens your case. A clean file, a clear supplier quote and evidence of utilisation help Simon present your strongest position to the panel of 80+ lenders, which is where competitive terms emerge.

Can you finance a used mobile screener?

Yes. Used mobile screeners are financed regularly, though age matters because the resale market is specialised. Lenders will fund a sound, well-maintained used screener with a realistic valuation, but older or high-hour units may attract a shorter term, a firmer deposit or a slightly higher indicative rate. Service history and an independent inspection carry weight, particularly on screens, bearings and the drive system. Buying used can be a cost-effective way to add processing capacity or enter recycling and aggregate work. Simon can identify which lenders are most comfortable with used screeners, which is where comparing across 80+ lenders genuinely improves the outcome you can achieve.

Can you finance a crusher and screener together?

Often, yes. Many operators run a crusher and screener as a matched plant train, and lenders will frequently fund both within a single facility, treating the combined plant as stronger security. This can simplify your repayments and sometimes improve pricing, because a well-specified processing setup is an attractive asset. It also lets you match one term and structure across the package rather than juggling separate loans. Whether bundling or funding each machine separately works better depends on the values, timing and the lenders most comfortable with processing plant. Simon can compare both approaches across the panel and recommend the one that produces the sharpest overall deal.

How to get the most competitive deal

Comparison is the biggest lever, because lender appetite for crushing and screening plant varies. Beyond that, keep your credit file clean and your ABN and GST current, have a clear supplier quote ready, and gather evidence of your throughput or supply contracts. Consider whether a deposit or trade-in improves your rate, whether bundling a crusher helps, and whether a balloon or structured repayment suits your income. Avoid lodging several applications yourself, since each enquiry can mark your file. One well-prepared application submitted to 80+ banks and non-bank lenders protects your file and surfaces the lenders best suited to screening assets.

If a mobile screener is next for your operation, an obligation-free quote is the sensible first step. Simon can run a soft credit check that leaves no mark on your file, compare 80+ banks and non-bank lenders, and return indicative rates and structures matched to your processing work and cash flow, whether you are funding one machine or a crusher-and-screener package. For eligible applicants, decisions are often available within 24 to 48 hours, so you can get processing sooner. Contact Overdrive Machinery Finance today to see what your mobile screener finance could look like.