The Machinery Farmers & Smallholders Depend On

UK farmers and smallholders rely on specialist machinery every day – from livestock management and crop production to estate maintenance and rural logistics.
But with agricultural margins often tight, purchasing equipment outright is not always feasible.

Gable Business Finance helps farms secure the essential tools and vehicles they need through flexible
funding solutions designed to protect cash flow and support long-term productivity.

Key Specialist Vehicles Used by UK Farms & Smallholdings

1. Tractors (Compact, Utility & Standard Agricultural Models)

Tractors remain the backbone of British farming, used for ploughing, cultivating, mowing, transporting materials,
and powering attachments such as sprayers, toppers, and tillers.

Compact tractors are especially popular with smallholdings, equestrian yards, vineyards, and market gardens due to their manoeuvrability and versatility.

2. UTVs & ATVs / Quad Bikes

These vehicles offer rapid access across rough terrain and are indispensable for livestock checks, fencing work, towing small trailers,
and transporting feed or equipment.

3. Agricultural Trailers

Used for transporting harvested crops, livestock, bales, materials, and waste. Models include tipping trailers, grain trailers,
livestock boxes, and multi-purpose units.

4. Crop Sprayers

Essential for applying fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and foliar feeds. Available as tractor-mounted or UTV-mounted systems depending on scale.

5. Material Handlers (Telehandlers, Forklifts)

Telehandlers make lifting and moving hay, silage, feed, and pallets significantly easier while supporting construction and yard maintenance tasks.

6. Tillers & Soil Preparation Machinery

Popular with small farms, allotment growers, and regenerative agriculture enterprises for preparing seedbeds and improving soil structure.

Important Considerations for UK Farm Vehicles

Registration & Licensing

Tractors and farm vehicles used on public roads must be registered and display number plates.

Roadworthiness

All vehicles must have functioning brakes, lights, and indicators, even if exempt from MOT testing.

Fuel Regulations (Red Diesel)

Most agricultural machinery qualifies for red diesel, reducing operating costs significantly.

Vehicle Speed Limits

Legal speed limits vary depending on vehicle type, size, and whether trailers are being towed.

Operator Training

Operators of ATVs must complete accredited training and wear helmets in line with updated HSE guidelines.

Finance Options for Farmers & Smallholders

Hire Purchase (HP)

The most common funding method for tractors, ATVs, telehandlers, and farm trailers. You spread the cost and own the equipment at the end.

Finance Lease

Helps reduce upfront VAT and allows equipment upgrades every few years. Ideal for UTVs, mowers, and smaller machinery.

Operating Lease

Pay only for the period you use the machinery. Suitable for seasonal or rapidly depreciating equipment.

Asset Refinance

Unlock cash from machinery you already own — supporting cash flow, expansion, repairs, or purchasing additional equipment.

Unsecured Business Loans

Fast, flexible funding for livestock, buildings, fencing, tools, or any agricultural purpose without requiring assets as security.

Why Farmers Choose Gable Business Finance

• Experts in agricultural machinery finance
• Funding available for new or used equipment from dealers or private sellers
• No age restrictions on many farm assets
• Fast decisions during peak seasonal demand
• Finance available for single machines or entire fleets
• Cashflow-friendly repayment structures tailored to seasonal incomes