Baler Finance

Q: What's the difference between financing a round baler and a large square baler?

Round balers are lower cost and more common on livestock farms, so lenders treat them much like any other mid-value farm machinery. Large square balers used for straw and hay contracting cost several times more and are usually assessed on the contracting business's turnover and existing customer base as much as on the asset itself.

Q: Can I finance a used baler?

Yes. Most lenders finance used balers up to around 10 years old, subject to condition and bale count where available. Round balers in particular hold their value well if maintained, so part-exchanging an existing baler against a newer model is a common and cost-effective route.

Q: Are seasonal repayment plans available for balers?

Yes. Many agricultural lenders will structure hire purchase or lease payments to fall after hay, silage, or straw income lands rather than spreading them evenly across the year, which suits both farm businesses and contracting operations whose income is concentrated in a few months.

Q: Is it better to use the manufacturer's finance scheme or an independent lender?

Both are worth quoting. Dealer-backed schemes are sometimes subsidised on new balers at certain times of year, but an independent lender may offer more flexibility on seasonal structuring, part-exchange, or financing a baler alongside a wrapper or trailer as one package.

Spread the cost of round and square balers from £18,000 to £160,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance

Can you finance a baler?

Yes, balers are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £18,000 to £160,000, and most deals are written over 12–72 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£18k – £160k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £100k

Rates From

4.5% APR

What would a baler cost per month?

Baler price (ex VAT) £55,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical baler price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 4.9% APR
Term: 12–72 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Farmers and contractors wanting to own the baler outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 4.5% APR
Term: 12–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, balloon payment reflects strong residual values on used balers

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.2% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Baling contractors who want the latest net-wrap and density technology

Representative example

On a purchase price of £55,000: a 10% deposit of £5,500, then 48 monthly payments of £1,160 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £61,180, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Claas Rollant 454	£25,000 – £38,000	Fixed-Chamber Round Baler
Krone Comprima F 155 XC	£45,000 – £65,000	Round Baler-Wrapper Combi
Kuhn LSB 890	£75,000 – £105,000	Large Square Baler
Krone BigPack 1270	£110,000 – £160,000	High-Density Square Baler

Tax benefits

Balers qualify for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), letting you deduct the full cost from taxable profits in year one, up to £1,000,000. HP gives access to capital allowances; lease payments are fully deductible from farming or contracting profits.

Market context

Balers are bought by a wide range of buyers, from family livestock farms baling their own hay and silage to specialist contractors covering hundreds of farms across a hay and straw season, which is why the price range for the category is so wide. Because a baler only earns its keep for a few intense weeks a year, many buyers time replacement around knotter and pickup wear rather than age, and a strong used market, driven by both domestic demand and export to Ireland and mainland Europe, means well-maintained balers from the established manufacturers hold value better than most tillage kit.

Bad credit?

Some specialist lenders consider businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options may be available. Fundably may use a soft credit check for matching, which does not affect your credit score. A hard check may happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between financing a round baler and a large square baler?