Cranes and lifting
Cranes, telehandlers and lifting equipment finance
Mobile cranes, telehandlers and lifting gear: the costs, paperwork and operator questions that sit beside the machine.
Price the lift
Price the whole lifting package, not just the machine.
A lifting asset is more than steel and a hook. Records, tickets and site conditions all change what it costs to own and how easily it can be financed or sold. Before you compare finance, list what sits around the machine:
- Inspection, certification and maintenance records for the machine and its lifting gear
- Licensed operators, and what happens when yours is unavailable
- Outrigger mats, rigging, load charts and other add-ons
- Transport between jobs, and any permits that apply
- Insurance questions specific to lifting work
- Telehandler attachments and operator training
Some of these can sometimes be included in a finance amount and some cannot. That depends on the lender, so raise it at the start rather than the end.
The utilisation question
Work out how many billable days a month the machine needs to cover its fixed costs, then compare that with the days your order book can realistically supply. Hire rates in your area are a useful reference for what the same lift would cost without owning.
General information only. Not advice about your situation. Licensing and registration rules vary by state and territory, so check with your regulator.
What lenders tend to look at
Three kinds of lifting asset, three conversations.
Mobile and truck-mounted cranes
Age, inspection history, configuration and records matter. A lender may ask for an independent inspection or a recognised dealer, so allow time for it.
Telehandlers and attachments
Machines used on farms, building sites and in hire fleets live different lives. Attachments and their compatibility can change both price and capacity.
Lifting gear and accessories
Slings, shackles, spreaders and platforms each have their own inspection regime. Ask which items are included and what condition they are in.
Capacity is a promise. The paperwork is the proof.
Load charts, inspection reports and operator records are what turn a lifting machine into an asset a lender and a buyer can trust.
More on lifting plant
Our blog goes deeper on records, utilisation, site risk, telehandler attachments and selling out of a hire fleet. For national safety guidance on lifting work, see Safe Work Australia, and check your state or territory regulator for the rules that apply to you.
Start here
Thinking about the sale side later? See selling or upgrading specialist plant.
Ready to talk specialist plant finance?
Enquiries are free and carry no obligation. Compare total cost and terms before you agree to anything.