construction equipment financing
I’m Kevin Kermeen, a nationwide commercial loan broker, not a bank. Construction equipment financing funds the machine that wins the job. Excavators, dozers, cranes, telehandlers, dump trucks, paving rigs, drill rigs, attachments, and the trailers that move them. Banks call construction equipment financing high-risk and stumble on the cash-flow swings. The right lenders structure the deal two ways: some use the equipment itself as collateral, others fund against your business revenue and credit without taking the gear, depending on what fits your file. I match you to the lender that funds your machine.
On This Page · Construction Equipment Financing
Six ways construction equipment financing puts iron on your jobsite
Construction equipment financing is not one product. The right structure depends on what you’re buying, what you already own, and how fast you need to close. Here is how I match contractors to construction equipment financing that actually funds.
Equipment Loans
Finance new or used construction equipment two ways: with the machine itself as collateral, or with revenue-based and signature options where the equipment is not pledged. Standard term: 24 to 72 months.
Equipment Leases
Operating leases and capital leases for contractors who would rather not own. Lower monthly payment, end-of-term buyout options, and accounting treatment your CPA may prefer.
SBA 504 for Equipment
Long-term fixed-rate construction equipment financing through the SBA 504 program for major capital purchases over $150K. Strong terms, long amortization, and lower money down.
SBA 7(a) for Equipment and Working Capital
Combine equipment financing with working capital in a single SBA 7(a) package when you need both the machine and the operating cash to start the job.
Used Equipment Financing
Most lenders I work with finance used construction equipment up to 10 to 15 years old. Auction purchases, dealer trade-ins, and private-party deals all eligible.
Equipment Refinancing and Cash-Out
Refinance existing equipment loans into better terms, or pull cash out of equipment you own free-and-clear to fund expansion, working capital, or the next machine.
Every piece of construction equipment financing in seven categories
From a $40,000 skid-steer loader to a $2 million crawler crane, here is the full picture of what construction equipment financing actually covers. Two paths to a yes, collateralized against the machine or structured against your revenue, fast to approve, and built around the cash-flow cycle of a working contractor.
Earthmoving and Site Prep
The biggest, most-financed category in construction. Equipment financing structured against the machine, your revenue, or both, for the heavy iron that breaks ground on every commercial, infrastructure, and residential project.
Excavators (Full-Size and Large)
Standard production excavators in the 20-50 ton class. The single most-financed piece of construction equipment in the U.S.
Mini and Compact Excavators
Sub-10-ton excavators for residential, utility, and tight-access work. Lower price point, very high financing volume.
Mass and High-Reach Excavators
Mining-class and demolition-grade excavators in the 75-ton-plus range. Often $1 million-plus per machine.
Bulldozers (Crawler Dozers)
Crawler dozers from small landscape models up to mining-class. Standard collateral, strong resale market.
Wheel Dozers
Articulated wheel dozers for mine sites, large earthmoving, and stockpile work.
Wheel Loaders
Standard wheel loaders for aggregate, snow, demolition, and general loading.
Articulated Loaders and Articulated Haulers
Articulated chassis loaders and haul-trucks for off-road earthmoving over rough terrain.
Backhoes (Backhoe Loaders)
Combo dig-and-load machines for utility, residential, and small commercial.
Motor Graders
Road grading, fine grading, and earthwork finishing.
Soil Compactors and Vibratory Compactors
Single-drum and pad-foot compactors for subgrade and embankment work.
Motor Scrapers
Pull-scrapers and self-propelled scrapers for large-scale earthmoving and grading.
Trenchers (Heavy and Utility)
Chain trenchers, rock-saw trenchers, and pipeline trenchers for utility installation, fiber, and gas line work.
Earthmovers (General)
Catch-all category for purpose-built earthmoving equipment that does not fit a single class above.
Compact and Skid-Steer Equipment
High-volume, high-velocity construction equipment financing. The workhorses of residential, light commercial, and trade-contractor jobsites. Lower per-unit cost, very fast approvals.
Skid-Steer Loaders
Wheeled skid steers from compact to large-frame. Among the highest-volume financed equipment in the U.S.
Compact Track Loaders (CTLs)
Rubber-track skid-steer equivalents for soft-ground and turf work.
Landscape and Tool-Carrier Loaders
Small landscape loaders and multi-attachment tool carriers for site-work and landscape contractors.
Lifting and Aerial Work
Some of the highest-ticket construction equipment financing in the industry. Crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, and tower cranes routinely exceed one million dollars per machine. Lifting equipment is its own specialty.
Crawler Cranes (Lattice-Boom)
Track-mounted lattice-boom cranes for heavy infrastructure, energy, and bridge work. Often $1 million-plus per machine.
Crawler Cranes (Telescopic-Boom)
Track-mounted telescopic cranes for heavy industrial lifting where stability matters more than road mobility.
All-Terrain Cranes
Road-legal multi-axle telescopic cranes that move between sites without disassembly. Highest mobility, very high ticket.
Rough-Terrain Cranes
Off-highway four-wheel-drive cranes for confined and uneven jobsite work.
Truck-Mounted Cranes (Boom Trucks and Crane Trucks)
Cranes mounted on commercial truck chassis for road-going service and lifting work.
Tower Cranes (Fixed and Luffing-Jib)
High-rise construction lifting. Includes self-erecting models and large luffing-jib towers for super-tall buildings.
Boom Lifts (Telescopic and Articulating)
Telescopic-boom and articulating-boom aerial lifts for trade contractors, structural, and exterior work.
Scissor Lifts
Vertical-rise platforms for interior trades, drywall, MEP rough-in, and warehouse work.
Telehandlers (Telescopic Handlers)
High-reach forklift-style telescopic handlers for steel erection, masonry, and rough-terrain material handling.
Forklifts (Industrial and Rough-Terrain)
Warehouse forklifts and rough-terrain forklifts for construction jobsites.
Paving and Road Construction
Specialty construction equipment financing for asphalt and concrete road work. Cold planers, asphalt pavers, and mobile asphalt plants are routinely $500K to $1.5 million-plus and require lenders who understand paving operating cycles.
Asphalt Pavers (Tracked and Wheeled)
Hot-mix asphalt pavers for highway, commercial parking, and street work.
Cold Planers and Milling Machines
Asphalt removal and surface milling for repaving projects. High-ticket specialty equipment.
Asphalt Rollers (Tandem, Pneumatic, Combination)
Steel-drum, rubber-tire, and combination rollers for asphalt compaction.
Mobile Asphalt Plants
Portable asphalt batch and drum plants for on-site mix production on large projects.
Concrete Batch Plants (Mobile)
Portable concrete batch plants for large-pour projects and remote sites.
Slipform Pavers (Concrete)
Continuous concrete paving for highways, runways, and large slabs.
Curb and Gutter Machines
Slipform curb-and-gutter machines for street and parking lot edge work.
Sweeper Trucks
Vacuum and mechanical sweepers for road construction, parking lot, and post-paving cleanup.
Specialty Road Construction Equipment
Catch-all for purpose-built road equipment that does not fit a single class above.
Concrete and Foundation Equipment
Foundation drilling rigs and pile drivers are some of the highest-ticket items in construction equipment financing, frequently exceeding one million dollars per unit. Specialty equipment that requires specialty lender relationships.
Concrete Pump Trucks
Boom-pump and line-pump trucks for concrete placement on commercial, high-rise, and infrastructure pours.
Concrete Mixer Trucks
Standard ready-mix concrete delivery trucks. Fleet financing common.
Foundation Drill Rigs and Drilled Shaft Rigs
Kelly-bar, CFA, and rotary drill rigs for bored piles, drilled shafts, and large-bore foundation work. Routinely $500K to $3 million-plus.
Pile Drivers (Impact, Vibratory, Hydraulic)
Bridge, marine, and structural foundation pile drivers. High-ticket specialty equipment.
Auger Pile Rigs and Continuous-Flight Auger Rigs
Auger-cast and CFA piling rigs for foundation work in dense urban and infrastructure projects.
Concrete Placing Booms
Tower-mounted and separate placing booms for high-rise concrete distribution.
Trucks, Trailers, and Service Vehicles
The fleet side of construction equipment financing. Dump trucks, water trucks, service trucks, and the lowboy trailers that move every other piece of equipment on this page. Fleet financing structured against the trucks themselves, or against your revenue without pledging the fleet, depending on what fits.
Dump Trucks (Tandem, Tri-Axle, Quad-Axle)
Standard road-legal dump trucks for aggregate, demolition, and site hauling.
Articulated Dump Trucks (Off-Road)
Articulated-chassis off-road haul trucks for site work, mining, and large earthmoving.
Off-Road and Mining-Class Haul Trucks (Rigid-Frame Rock Trucks)
Rigid-frame off-highway haul trucks for quarry and mine production. Often $1 million-plus per truck.
Dump Trailers
Pull-behind dump trailers for smaller-haul work.
Concrete Trucks (Mixer and Pump)
Both mixer-truck and pump-truck classes for ready-mix and placement.
Lowboy Trailers and Heavy-Haul Trailers
Detachable-gooseneck lowboys and multi-axle heavy-haul trailers that move the rest of the equipment on this list.
Vacuum Trucks
Hydro-excavation and industrial vacuum trucks for utility daylighting and cleanup.
Water Trucks
Dust-control and compaction water trucks for site work.
Service Trucks (Mechanic and Lube Trucks)
Field-service trucks with cranes, compressors, and tooling for on-site equipment maintenance.
Service Vans
Outfitted utility, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractor service vans.
Box Trucks
Cargo and parts box trucks for contractor logistics.
Utility Trucks (Bucket and Boom)
Insulated bucket trucks, sign-truck cranes, and digger-derrick trucks for utility and telecom work.
Attachments and Add-Ons
The attachments that make the prime mover earn its keep. I finance attachments alongside the machine in one construction equipment financing package, or as a stand-alone purchase to extend the capability of equipment you already own.
Excavator Buckets (Standard, Severe-Duty, Specialty)
Dig buckets, rock buckets, ditching buckets, and tilting buckets across all excavator size classes.
Skid-Steer Buckets and Forks
General-purpose, multi-purpose, and pallet-fork attachments for skid-steer loaders and CTLs.
Hydraulic Hammers (Breakers)
Excavator and skid-steer-mounted hydraulic breakers for demolition and rock work.
Hydraulic Augers
Auger drives for fence-post, foundation-pier, and landscape installation.
Hydraulic Thumbs and Pin-Grabber Couplers
Excavator thumbs and quick-coupler systems that turn an excavator into a multi-function tool.
Hydraulic Shears, Grapples, and Demolition Tools
Concrete pulverizers, scrap shears, demolition grapples, and rotating processors.
Sweepers and Brooms (Attachment)
Pickup brooms, angle brooms, and rotary sweepers for skid steers, loaders, and tractors.
Rakes, Forks, and Material-Handling Attachments
Land-clearing rakes, pallet forks, grapple buckets, and bale handlers for site-work and landscape contractors.
Stump Grinders, Mulchers, and Forestry Mowers
Forestry-mulcher heads, drum-mulchers, and stump-grinder attachments for land-clearing and right-of-way work.
Cold Planers (Skid-Steer Attachment)
Skid-steer-mounted cold-planer heads for small-area asphalt removal.
Compaction Attachments (Plate Compactors, Wheel Compactors)
Skid-steer and excavator-mounted compaction tools for utility-trench and small-area work.
Construction equipment financing sits inside a real industry framework, from the federal SBA programs to the national trade associations that represent the manufacturers and distributors
If you want the regulatory and industry picture behind construction equipment financing straight from the source, here are three authoritative bodies that shape the construction equipment landscape: the federal small-business lending authority, the national trade association of equipment distributors, and the national trade association of equipment manufacturers.
SBA 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs
The SBA’s 7(a) and 504 programs are the primary federal vehicles for construction equipment financing over $150,000. The SBA establishes the underwriting framework, the long-term fixed-rate structure, and the eligibility rules that govern these loans.
View SBA loan programs → Associated Equipment Distributors (AED)The National Trade Association of Equipment Distributors
AED has represented the construction equipment distribution industry since 1919, with more than 800 distributor and manufacturer members. If you are buying construction equipment from a dealer, your dealer is almost certainly an AED member. AED is the industry’s policy voice in Washington, D.C.
Visit AED → Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)The National Trade Association of Equipment Manufacturers
AEM represents more than 1,000 manufacturers of construction, agricultural, mining, forestry, and utility equipment, with over 200 product lines. AEM is the trade authority on the equipment itself, the industry data, and the manufacturing standards that govern what gets financed.
Visit AEM →A growing contractor financed an excavator and a crew truck to win bigger jobs after the bank passed.
A family-owned construction and excavation company in the Southeast had operated for 11 years but needed to expand its heavy equipment fleet to land a major infrastructure contract. The backlog was real and signed, but two regional banks declined, citing seasonal revenue variability. They wanted years of additional history and collateral the business had not built yet.
They called me. I structured a $425,000 construction equipment financing package with a regional lender that specialized in construction cash-flow cycles. The deal underwrote the equipment as its own collateral and the contractor’s signed backlog, not just a tired high-risk label. The deal closed in 19 days. The company won the contract, expanded its crew, and has since tripled annual revenue. Don’t Beg the Bank! Get funded instead.
The right loan program for each construction equipment financing need
Construction equipment financing is not one product. The right structure depends on what you’re buying, how much, and how fast. Tap any to explore it.
Equipment Financing (General)
Equipment loans and leases structured two ways: against the machine itself as collateral, or against your business revenue without pledging the equipment. Standard term 24 to 72 months.
See equipment financing → 🏛️SBA 504 Equipment Financing
Long-term fixed-rate SBA 504 for major capital equipment purchases over $150K. Strong terms, longer amortization, lower money down.
See SBA 504 → ⚡SBA 7(a) for Equipment
SBA 7(a) is the workhorse for equipment, working capital, expansion, and acquisition combined into a single financing package.
See SBA 7(a) → 🏗️Construction Business Loans (Hub)
The full picture of construction business loans, working capital, factoring, lines of credit, and trade-specific financing.
See the construction hub → 💵Working Capital (Equipment + Cash)
When you need the equipment AND the operating capital to start the job. Combine equipment financing with working capital in one package.
See working capital → 🔄Line of Credit (For Equipment Acquisitions)
Revolving capital for contractors who buy equipment opportunistically at auction or from private parties when deals appear.
See lines of credit →Qualifying for construction equipment financing
Construction equipment financing is its own underwriting world. The right lenders know a busy contractor with real backlog and equipment is a strong borrower. Here is the honest picture of what helps you qualify, so neither of us wastes time on a deal that won’t fly.
What helps you qualify
- An operating contracting business or a clear plan with real backlog
- For collateralized deals, the equipment itself serves as security; for non-collateralized deals, lenders underwrite your bank deposits and credit
- Signed contracts, a backlog, or steady revenue a lender can verify
- Reasonable personal credit on the principals (stronger credit unlocks better rates)
- A down payment or trade-in that strengthens the file (not always required)
- New or used equipment up to 10 to 15 years old is generally eligible
Straight talk on construction equipment financing
- Two paths to a yes: equipment-collateralized loans (fastest, lowest rate) or revenue-based and signature financing where the gear is not pledged
- Credit is flexible. There is no single hard FICO floor; stronger credit means better terms
- A past bank rejection does not disqualify you. Your backlog and equipment matter more
- Loan amounts run from $10,000 to $5 million, with larger transactions taking more underwriting time
- Auction purchases, private-party deals, and dealer trade-ins all eligible
- Same-day approvals are common when the application reaches me before 9am Arizona Time
Get your construction equipment financing options
A quick, no-pressure pre-qualification. I personally review every submission, no call center, no junior rep.
A broker who actually has construction equipment lenders
I am Kevin Kermeen, the nationwide commercial loan broker behind 75BizLoans.com. I am not a bank and not a lead-selling portal. Construction equipment financing has its own specialist lenders who understand backlog, asset values, and the construction draw cycle, and matching you to the right one is the whole point of working with me. Most banks treat construction as high-risk and stumble on the cash-flow swings. The lenders I work with don’t. I personally review every construction equipment financing application, I call you directly, and I never text. For program details, see the SBA’s 7(a) loan program.
Don’t Beg the Bank! Get funded instead.
Construction equipment financing FAQ
What is construction equipment financing?
Construction equipment financing is lending or leasing that funds the purchase of construction equipment, excavators, dozers, cranes, lifts, paving equipment, trucks, and attachments. It is structured two ways depending on the lender and the file: equipment-collateralized, where the machine itself serves as security and gets you the fastest approvals and lowest rates, or revenue-based and signature financing where the lender underwrites your bank deposits and credit without taking the equipment as collateral. Standard terms run 24 to 72 months. I match contractors to the construction equipment financing structure that fits their machine, their backlog, and their credit profile.
How much construction equipment financing can I get?
I arrange construction equipment financing from $10,000 to $5 million. Smaller transactions under $250,000 can often be approved same-day with limited documentation. Larger transactions, especially specialty equipment like cranes, drill rigs, and mining-class haul trucks, require more underwriting time, more documentation, and sometimes a down payment. The right structure depends on the machine, the price, your operating history, and your credit.
Can I get construction equipment financing with bad credit?
Often, yes. Equipment-collateralized financing has more forgiving credit requirements than unsecured loans because the lender holds the machine as security. Newer contractors and owners with bruised credit still have real options, especially when the equipment is from a recognized manufacturer with strong resale value. Revenue-based and signature options lean harder on your bank deposits and time in business, so strong monthly revenue can offset a weaker credit score. The trade-off is rate, weaker credit usually means a higher rate. I qualify the deal honestly and match you to the lender most likely to fund your machine.
How fast can I get construction equipment financing?
Equipment loans under $250,000 can often be approved in 24 to 48 hours, sometimes same-day when the application reaches me before 9am Arizona Time. Larger transactions over $500,000 and specialty equipment, cranes, drill rigs, mining trucks, may take 7 to 21 days for full underwriting. SBA-backed construction equipment financing follows standard SBA timelines, generally 30 to 90 days depending on the program.
Can I finance used construction equipment?
Yes. Most of the lenders I work with finance used construction equipment up to 10 to 15 years old. That includes auction purchases, dealer trade-ins, and private-party deals. The lender may require an inspection or appraisal for older or specialty equipment, and the loan-to-value ratio may be lower than on new equipment. Construction equipment financing for used iron is one of the most common deals I see.
Can I finance attachments and add-ons with the equipment?
Yes. I finance attachments alongside the prime mover in a single construction equipment financing package, or as a stand-alone purchase to extend equipment you already own. Buckets, hydraulic hammers, augers, thumbs, shears, grapples, sweepers, mulchers, and compaction attachments are all eligible. Attachments often pay for themselves in expanded job capability faster than the prime mover did.
Does the SBA fund construction equipment financing?
Yes. The SBA’s 7(a) and 504 loan programs are designed for major construction equipment purchases. SBA 504 fits long-term capital equipment over $150,000 with fixed-rate long-amortization terms. SBA 7(a) is more flexible and combines equipment with working capital, expansion, or acquisition in a single financing package. For very large equipment purchases, an SBA loan often beats a conventional equipment loan on total cost. I match you to the right SBA structure when it fits.
Can I refinance existing equipment debt?
Yes. Construction equipment refinancing is one of the most common deals I see. If you bought equipment at a high rate when you were newer, or took on short-term debt to close a deal fast, refinancing into a longer-term lower-rate construction equipment financing package can free up significant monthly cash flow. I also arrange cash-out refinancing against equipment you own free-and-clear, pulling capital out to fund the next machine, working capital, or expansion.
What does it cost to work with you?
Nothing up front to me. I am paid a broker fee by the lender at closing, never added to your loan amount or rate.* Some partner lenders may require a commitment deposit when you accept their term sheet, which is separate from any fee to me and disclosed before you commit. Don’t Beg the Bank! Let me match your construction equipment financing to the right lender.
Construction equipment financing built for your machine. One application, real answers.
☂️ Banks hand out umbrellas when the sun is shining, not when you’re weathering the storm… and they will call construction equipment financing too risky to fund. I match you to lenders who structure the deal two ways, against the equipment or against your revenue, get you funded fast, and stay with you start to finish. Same-day callback from a broker who reviews every deal himself.