What a combine harvester costs in Australia
Harvest gear is the biggest equipment spend in Australian agriculture, and the market has its own physics: separator hours, not engine hours, set the price, and the front is often a six-figure machine of its own. Here are the current bands.
Headers, by class and age
| Machine | Price (inc GST typical) | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream used (S680 class, 2012-2016) | $217,000 to $297,000 | $1075 to $1475 |
| Late-model S780/S790 (2019-2021) | $484,000 to $638,000 | $2400 to $3165 |
| Case IH 9250 class (2020) | ~$462,000 | ~$2290 |
| Near-new X9 (2022-2024) | $875,000 to $1.3m | from $4340 |
The rule that governs all of it: separator hours are the value metric, and machines under about 1,000 separator hours price close to new. Watch the engine-to-separator ratio, a wide gap flags driveline wear. And always confirm what the price includes: the same 2020 S790 lists at $588,500 bare and $385,000 with two fronts and trailers included, because fronts change everything.
Fronts, sprayers and balers
A late-model 40 to 45ft MacDon flex draper front is $140,000 to $180,000 on its own, and fronts are commonly bought and financed separately from the header. Self-propelled sprayers run $215,000 to $375,000 for 7 to 9 year old premium machines and $500,000 to $730,000 for 2 to 4 year old large-tank flagships. Big square balers run to $490,000 for the high-density class, with baler value measured in bale count, not hours, and round baler-wrapper combos $110,000 to $185,000.
The financing shape
Harvest gear is the natural home of seasonal structures: repayments built around harvest income rather than flat months, balloons matched to trade cycles, and the header, front and chaser financed as one facility or split to match how they were bought. New-machine captive offers exist in good years; the used market, where most of the value trades, is broker territory. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. See also the John Deere price guide, run numbers on the equipment calculator, or start at harvester finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a combine harvester cost in Australia?
Mainstream used headers run $217,000 to $297,000, late-model S780/S790 class machines $484,000 to $638,000, and near-new X9s $875,000 to $1.3m including GST. New flagship pricing is dealer-quote.
What are separator hours and why do they matter?
Separator hours count actual harvesting work and are the market's value metric; under about 1,000 separator hours a machine prices close to new. A wide engine-to-separator ratio flags idle-heavy or worn machines.
How much is a header front?
Late-model 40 to 45ft MacDon flex draper fronts run $140,000 to $180,000 used, and they are commonly bought and financed separately from the header.
Can harvest equipment repayments follow harvest income?
Yes. Seasonal structures with repayments concentrated after harvest are standard in this class, along with balloons matched to trade cycles.
Harvest-shaped finance
Tell us the machine and your season and we will structure repayments around harvest income, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.