earthmoving · Equipment & asset finance
Bulldozer finance
Dozers are bought against contracts, not hope. We look at the work in front of the machine and structure the term and balloon so the repayment sits inside the job rate.
What is bulldozer finance?
Bulldozer finance is funding for a tracked dozer used in bulk earthworks, land clearing, mining services and civil construction, secured against the machine. Dozers are high-value, long-life assets, so lenders will usually extend longer terms than they would for smaller plant, often with a balloon at the end.
Bulldozers move material in bulk, and in Australia they are most often found on subdivisions, dam and road works, land clearing, and mine site rehabilitation. The D6 class is the workhorse: big enough for serious push work, small enough to float without a permit convoy. Larger D8 and D9 machines are contract-driven purchases where the machine is bought because a specific job justifies it.
Because dozers are expensive and long-lived, the finance structure matters more than the headline rate. A seven-year term with a balloon keeps monthly repayments in line with what the machine bills, but you need a realistic view of resale at the end. Your broker should also check whether a sale and leaseback on an existing machine would release working capital more cheaply than borrowing separately.
Bulldozer finance at a glance
| Typical price range | $120,000 – $1,200,000 |
|---|---|
| Finance term | Up to 84 months |
| Useful life | About 15 years |
| New or used | Used dozers dominate the Australian market, with imported low-hour machines common; new purchases are usually made by larger civil and mining services contractors. |
| Indicative rates (Chattel mortgage) | 6.9% – 14.5% p.a. · rate history |
| Finance structures | Chattel mortgage (recommended), Equipment loan, Sale and leaseback |
How lenders assess bulldozer finance
Dozers are specialised, so fewer lenders play in this space and asset knowledge matters. Expect a lender to want evidence of contracts or work history for a first-time buyer, and a deposit of 10 to 20 per cent on an older machine. Undercarriage condition is treated as a real valuation input, not a formality. Machines imported from overseas need compliance and PPSR checks. Longer terms of six to seven years with a balloon are common, reflecting the long working life of the asset.
Before you buy
- Get an independent undercarriage and final-drive inspection — these are the two costs that turn a cheap dozer into an expensive one.
- Confirm whether GPS machine control is fitted and licensed; retrofitting a 3D system can add $80,000 or more.
- Check the blade and ripper configuration matches your work — a semi-U blade and multi-shank ripper suit very different jobs.
Commonly financed
Caterpillar D6 and D6T · Komatsu D65PX and D85 · Caterpillar D8T · John Deere 700K · Shantui SD16
Estimate bulldozer repayments
- Number of repayments
- 60
- Balloon at end of term
- $132,000
- Total interest (est.)
- $186,828
- Total repaid (est.)
- $846,828
This calculator provides an estimate only and does not account for fees, charges or the specific terms a lender may offer. It is not financial advice or an offer of finance.
Key terms
What is bulldozer finance?
Bulldozer finance is a secured loan or lease used to buy a tracked dozer, with the machine held as security. Terms commonly run 48 to 84 months and a balloon payment is often used to keep repayments aligned with the machine’s earning rate.
How do lenders value a used bulldozer?
Lenders look at make, model, year, engine hours and undercarriage condition, then compare against recent auction and dealer sales. A machine with a worn undercarriage is valued well below an equivalent machine with fresh tracks and rollers.