Finance question
Can I finance an excavator over 20 tonnes?
Yes. A 20 tonne plus excavator, whether a 22 tonne or a 30 tonne class machine, is exactly the kind of asset that secures its own finance. Equipment finance covers up to $500,000 per asset, and where the ticket runs higher, a property-backed facility or a second line can bridge the gap. Subject to lender assessment.
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The short answer
Big iron secures its own loan
A large excavator is a lender's kind of asset. A 20 to 30 tonne machine holds strong resale value, sells into a deep secondhand civil and mining market, and is easy to trace by serial and hours. That is why finance on one is secured by the excavator itself, and why deals in this bracket often settle low-doc or no-doc without leaning on your financials.
The number to keep in mind is $500,000. Equipment finance reaches up to that figure per asset, which covers most used and many new 20 to 25 tonne excavators outright. A near-new 30 tonne machine with attachments can push past it, and when it does, the balance can be structured with property-backed finance up to the $5 to 6 million range or split across facilities.
Condition and hours shape the offer more than the tonnage alone. Lenders look at age, logged hours, brand, service history and whether a tilt bucket, hammer or other attachments are part of the deal. A well maintained machine from a recognised make with clean hours gives the strongest position, but higher-hour and older units are still fundable with the right lender.
Do you qualify?
What lenders weigh on a large excavator.
A specific machine
The excavator's make, model, year and hours to value it against.
An active ABN
Civil, earthmoving and mining operators all qualify.
Service history
Logged hours and maintenance records strengthen the deal.
A deposit can help
Not always needed, but it can widen lenders on bigger tickets.
Why heavy excavators finance well
Strong resale
A deep secondhand civil market means solid security for the lender.
Fast turnaround
Clear asset details support 24 to 48 hour approvals.
Room above $500K
Larger tickets bridge to property-backed finance up to $5 to 6 million.
A real example
A civil contractor buys a used 24 tonne excavator with 6,000 hours and a tilt bucket for around $220k. The machine secures the finance, the make and hours are verified, and with clean records the deal settles inside a couple of days on a term matched to its working life. Illustrative only.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a 30 tonne excavator too big to finance?
No. It is a strong asset. Equipment finance covers up to $500,000 per asset, and a larger ticket can bridge to property-backed finance or a second facility.
Can I finance a used or high-hour excavator?
Yes. Older and higher-hour machines are still fundable with the right lender, though condition, hours and brand affect the offer.
Do attachments count in the finance?
Often yes. Buckets, hammers and tilt hitches bought with the machine can usually be included in the one facility.
How fast can it settle?
With clear asset and ABN details, machinery deals often move in the 24 to 48 hour range, subject to lender assessment.