Landscaping equipment financing is a loan or lease that lets a landscaping company buy commercial mowers, compact loaders, trucks, trailers and hardscape tools, with the equipment itself as the main collateral. The usual routes are a manufacturer’s dealer program, an independent equipment lender or bank, an SBA loan, or a lease. Which one fits depends on whether the machine is new or used, how long you have been in business and how your cash comes in across the season.
This page is part of our loans for landscaping companies guide and focuses on the machines. If you need cash for payroll, fuel or a slow month rather than a specific machine, see lawn care business loans instead.
Business equipment, not consumer mower financing
Search results for landscaping and mower financing mix two kinds of offers. Some are for homeowners buying a riding mower or garden tractor for their own yard, usually through a dealer’s consumer credit program or a store card. Others are for businesses buying equipment that earns revenue. Consumer mower financing for personal use is outside the scope of this page, and SMB Compass doesn’t arrange it. Everything below assumes the equipment will be used in a landscaping, lawn care, grounds maintenance or hardscaping business.
What landscaping companies finance
- Commercial mowers. Zero-turn, stand-on and walk-behind mowers. These are lower-cost items, so they are often financed in a group or through a dealer revolving account.
- Compact equipment. Skid steers, compact track loaders, mini excavators and compact wheel loaders for grading, planting, hardscape and snow work. See skid steer financing for more on these.
- Trucks and trailers. Crew pickups, dump bodies and enclosed or open trailers. Our trailer financing page covers trailers on their own.
- Specialty tools. Aerators, sod cutters, hydroseeders, spray rigs, plate compactors and saws.
- Tree and snow equipment. Bucket trucks and chippers have their own page at tree service loans, and plows and spreaders at snow removal business loans.
Where landscaping equipment financing comes from
| Source | How it works | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer / dealer program | The brand’s finance company funds the purchase at the dealer, sometimes with a promotional rate | You are buying new from a participating dealer and qualify for the promotion |
| Independent equipment lender | Loan or lease on new or used equipment from dealers or, with some lenders, private sellers | You are buying used, mixing brands, or want one lender for several items |
| Bank or credit union | Equipment loan, often tied to your business checking and credit line | You have strong financials and an existing banking relationship |
| SBA 7(a) or 504 loan | Government-guaranteed loan made by a bank or other SBA lender | You are making a larger purchase or combining equipment with other needs |
| Equipment lease | You pay to use the equipment for a set term, with an end-of-term option | You replace mowers on a schedule and want to keep cash for the season |
What it costs: published examples
Two cost terms come up. The interest rate is the yearly cost of borrowing, before fees. The APR (annual percentage rate) adds most fees to the interest rate, so it’s the better number for comparing offers. Leases usually quote a monthly payment instead, so ask for the total of all payments plus the end-of-term price. Figures checked on September 21, 2026.
| Lender or program | What it publishes | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Cat compact equipment offer | 0% for up to 60 months on mini excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and compact wheel loaders | Ends September 30, 2026: purchase and machine delivery must occur by then. Participating Cat dealers only; subject to credit approval by Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation |
| Kapitus | Interest rates starting at 7.5%; terms up to 72 months; $20,000 minimum; lists landscaping/arbor among equipment it finances | FICO score 660; 2 years in business |
| Ameris Bank Equipment Finance | Most deals written for 24, 36, 48 or 60 months; application-only up to $500,000 for hard collateral; rates not published | 2+ years in business, $100,000+ annual revenue, FICO score of 640 or more; up to $50,000 through select programs for businesses 6 months to 2 years old |
Ameris Bank Equipment Finance notes that Balboa Capital is a division of Ameris Bank (Ameris Bank Equipment Finance). Kapitus shows its 7.5% as an interest rate, not an APR, so ask for the APR and total repayment on any quote. Rates for smaller mower purchases, older equipment and newer businesses are usually quoted case by case. Ask every lender for the rate, fees, term and total cost in writing, and compare them in our equipment loan calculator.
Reading a 0% dealer offer
Manufacturer promotions change often and vary by model, and they come with fine print. The Cat offer above, for example, lists specific models and a delivery deadline, and Cat says not all customers will qualify. Before you sign, check three things:
- Cash price vs. promo price. A 0% rate sometimes replaces a cash discount or rebate. Compare the total you’d pay at 0% with the discounted cash price financed elsewhere.
- True 0% vs. deferred interest. Some revolving accounts offer “no interest if paid in full.” The CFPB explains that with a deferred interest plan, if you haven’t paid off the balance by the end of the promotional period, “you will be charged interest on that balance” (CFPB). Ask which kind of offer you’re getting.
- The end date. Promotions expire. Get the offer, its end date and the model list in writing.
SBA loans for larger equipment purchases
SBA loans take longer to close than dealer or equipment-lender financing, but they can cover bigger projects. The SBA says the maximum 7(a) loan is $5 million and lists “purchasing and installation of machinery and equipment” among eligible uses (SBA). The SBA’s lender terms page gives a maximum maturity of 10 years for equipment (SBA).
The SBA 504 program goes up to $5.5 million, but it’s for fixed assets such as buildings and “long-term machinery and equipment with a useful remaining life of a minimum of 10 years” (SBA). Commercial mowers rarely meet that test. A 504 loan fits better when you are buying a yard, shop or large equipment along with it. Our 7(a) vs. 504 vs. microloans guide compares the programs.
Buy or lease?
- Buy with a loan for machines you’ll run for many seasons, such as a compact track loader or a dump truck. You build equity and keep the machine when it’s paid off.
- Lease for equipment you replace often, such as front-line mowers that rack up hours quickly, or when you’d rather keep cash for spring payroll.
- Buy used when the work doesn’t need a new machine. Lenders look harder at hours and condition, which can shorten the term. See used equipment financing and leasing.
For the tax and cost side of the decision, see equipment financing vs. leasing.
Tax considerations
Equipment bought for the business may qualify for Section 179 expensing. For tax years beginning in 2026, the limit is $2,560,000, reduced once qualifying purchases for the year exceed $4,090,000 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). The IRS also describes a permanent 100% additional first-year depreciation deduction for qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025 (IRS). Trucks and SUVs have their own rules, and a leased machine is treated differently from one you own, so confirm the treatment with your tax preparer before you buy for the deduction.
What lenders look for
- Time in business. Both Kapitus and Ameris list two years as their standard minimum. Ameris says businesses from 6 months to less than 2 years old may qualify for up to $50,000 through select programs. For newer companies, see equipment financing for startups.
- Credit. The two lenders above publish minimum FICO scores of 640 and 660. Lenders that work with lower scores often ask for a larger down payment. See equipment financing with bad credit.
- Revenue and seasonality. Bank statements covering a full year show the lender your spring peak and winter dip. If you plow snow or sell winter services, show that income too.
- Customer base. Recurring maintenance contracts, especially commercial ones, make cash flow easier to underwrite than one-off installs.
- The equipment. A dealer quote or bill of sale with make, model, year, hours and serial number.
Common pitfalls
- Buying in April with no plan for December. Twelve equal monthly payments still come due in the off-season. Ask about seasonal or skip-payment schedules before you sign.
- A term longer than the machine’s life. A mower that needs replacing in three seasons shouldn’t carry a five-year loan.
- Lots of small, separate contracts. Financing each mower and trimmer on its own adds paperwork and can add fees. One lender or a dealer account may be simpler.
- Personal-use purchases in the business. Lenders and the IRS both expect business equipment to be used for the business.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance landscaping equipment with no money down?
Sometimes. Kapitus says it can finance 100% of the equipment cost for qualified buyers. Newer businesses and lower credit scores are more likely to be asked for a down payment. See equipment financing with no money down.
How long can I finance a commercial mower or compact loader?
It depends on the lender and the machine. Ameris says most of its deals run 24 to 60 months, and Kapitus offers up to 72 months. Keep the term within the machine’s working life.
Can I finance used landscaping equipment?
Yes. Kapitus says it finances new and used equipment, and Ameris lists used equipment among what it finances. Expect questions about hours and condition, and possibly a shorter term.
Can SMB Compass help me finance a mower for my home?
No. Mowers and garden tractors for personal use are consumer purchases. The lenders we work with finance equipment used in a business.
Next step
If you have a dealer quote and want to see how it compares, our loans for landscaping companies page explains how SMB Compass compares offers from its lending partners. For machines that also work on construction sites, see heavy equipment financing.
Sources
- Caterpillar: Compact equipment financing offers
- Kapitus: Equipment financing
- Ameris Bank Equipment Finance: Equipment financing
- Ameris Bank Equipment Finance: Section 179
- CFPB: How deferred interest works
- SBA: 7(a) loans
- SBA: 7(a) terms, conditions and eligibility
- SBA: 504 loans
- IRS: Rev. Proc. 2025-32
- IRS: Guidance on additional first year depreciation
About this page. Written by Ezra Cabrera, Content Team Lead at SMB Compass. Figures were checked against the primary sources listed above on September 21, 2026; lenders change their terms, so confirm current terms before you apply, and let us know if you spot a figure that has changed. SMB Compass is a business financing broker: we don’t lend our own money, and we are paid by the lenders we place loans with. This page is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.