Crane finance

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You see them on construction sites, in factories, on farms and at the port. High, low, mobile or fixed, industrial cranes are everywhere and anywhere – providing major muscle when big things are on the move. Without a doubt, many industries and businesses could not function without these huge machines. But with price tags often in the $millions, buying them out of working capital can often be impossible – which is why savvy business owners use crane finance to take the strain.

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What is crane finance?

Crane finance is a specialized form of equipment financing, Designed for businesses in the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, marine, logistics and other heavy equipment industries, this type of financing allows companies to acquire cranes and related machinery without making a major dent in cash reserves. By spreading the cost of expensive machinery over time, crane finance helps businesses preserve working capital and better manage their cash flow while ensuring access to essential equipment.

What types of finance are available for cranes?

Just as there are many types of crane, so there are many ways to finance them. Popular crane finance options include:

Lease-to-own

The most common way to finance a new or used crane. With lease-to-own, you enter into a long-term rental agreement, making an initial down payment and then paying regular monthly payments over a fixed-term contract. When the agreement comes to an end, you buy the crane for either the projected residual value of the machinery at contract end – also known as a ‘balloon payment’ – or for an agreed final sum – which can be as low as $1. Lease-to-own may deliver significant tax advantages over traditional ‘hire purchase’ agreements, where you buy the crane in equal monthly instalments and no balloon payment at contract end. With lease-to-own, crane maintenance, servicing and insurance costs are typically your responsibility, although some lenders may bundle these extras into the leasing cost.

Used crane financing

Buying or leasing a used crane that is in good condition and still has years of life left in it can be a cost-effective way to obtain the lifting machinery you need. However, be aware that some lenders may set strict age limits on used cranes, restricting the types of crane you can buy.

Auction finance

If you’re looking to buy a used crane at auction, your chances of success will be improved by obtaining pre-approval for an auction loan before you head to the auction house. Pre-approval for a loan up to a set limit gives you confidence to make a bid and ensures you can meet the crane’s purchase price without hurting cash flow. Once you buy the crane, the pre-approval converts to a standard term loan that you pay back monthly.

Working capital loan

Working capital loans are designed to cover dips in cash flow or fund extraordinary capital expenditures. Buying a crane falls into the latter category. Common working capital loans include:

Term loan: You receive a single, lump-sum cash injection and then pay it back in regular instalments over a fixed period of up to 25 years. Collateral may be required
Business line of credit: Withdraw as much as you want when you want from a loan facility up to the limit of your borrowing. You only pay interest on the sums you withdraw, not the whole credit line. This can make the borrowing significantly cheaper. Collateral may be required.

Financing with poor credit

Organizations with weak credit may find it more challenging to buy or lease crane equipment, but it’s not impossible. Specialized financing programs for businesses with less than stellar credit include:

Revenue based financing: An option for companies that have strong monthly revenues but a weak credit history. Borrow against the value of your revenues, using your varied income streams as security for the loan.
Asset-based lending: Make better use of the equity you have in your existing plant and machinery. Tap their dormant value as collateral for a loan. Continue to use the equipment while you borrow against it. As soon as the loan is paid off, the lender’s lien is released.

Why finance a crane?

Does it make sense to finance your next crane purchase? Like all types of financing, crane loans come with advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

Takes the strain off cash flow, allowing you to pay over time instead of all at once
May let you buy a more expensive crane than you can afford when buying with cash
May include maintenance and/or insurance in the finance contract
May be more tax-efficient than buying with cash
Can strengthen your business credit score

Cons

You’ll pay fees and interest as well as the crane purchase price
You don’t own the crane until it’s paid off. If you default, the lender can take the crane back

What types of crane can be financed?

Crane finance can be used to obtain almost any type of crane, including:

Tower cranes
Jib cranes
Crawler cranes
Marine cranes
Mobile cranes
Loader cranes
Floating cranes
Overhead cranes
Rough Terrain cranes
Railroad cranes
Stacker cranes
Telescopic Handler cranes

How to get crane finance

Terms and conditions for crane financing are often complex and will vary from one lender to another. Sometimes, the differences between offers could add up to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. It therefore makes sense to shop around before settling on a deal. You can do this by approaching banks, credit unions and online lenders one by one, or you can use the services of a loan marketplace that will immediately introduce you to a choice of crane financing deals from a range of lenders. Some marketplace platforms can also give you advice and help you with the application process. This can be especially useful for borrowers who have never taken out a crane loan before.

Get started with Swoop

No matter if you’re seeking your first crane loan or you’re a seasoned borrower, working with business finance experts can make all the difference when applying for funding. Contact Swoop to discuss your borrowing needs, get help with your application and to compare high-quality crane finance from a choice of lenders. Let us do the heavy lifting for you. Register with Swoop today.