Close Brothers Compactor Finance at a Glance
Close Brothers Asset Finance is one of the UK's longest-established independent asset lenders, with genuine appetite for construction plant including soil compactors, vibratory rollers, and road compaction equipment. They operate through a direct sales force and via broker channels - as a specialist finance broker, Doulton Bridging Finance submits compactor cases directly to their asset finance team.
For road contractors, housebuilders, and groundwork companies financing equipment such as the Bomag BW213D-5, Hamm HD138, or Wacker Neuson tandem rollers, Close Brothers is typically one of the first lenders we approach. Their credit appetite covers new and quality used equipment, and they can lend against both limited companies and, in some cases, partnerships.
October 2026 Rate Indicatives
| Asset Type | Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Term | Min / Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ride-on single drum roller (e.g. Bomag BW213) | Hire Purchase | 4.5% – 7.5% | 2–5 yrs | £10k / £500k |
| Tandem vibratory roller (e.g. Hamm HD138) | Hire Purchase | 4.5% – 8% | 2–5 yrs | £10k / £500k |
| Pedestrian roller | Hire Purchase | 6% – 10% | 2–3 yrs | £10k / £100k |
| Soil compactor (large format) | Finance Lease | 5% – 9% | 3–5 yrs | £15k / £500k |
| Used roller fleet (2–5 yrs old) | Hire Purchase | 7% – 12% | 2–4 yrs | £10k / £250k |
| Wacker Neuson RDVA 900 or similar | Hire Purchase | 5.5% – 9% | 2–4 yrs | £10k / £150k |
Rates are indicative as of October 2026 and subject to credit assessment, asset condition, and prevailing market conditions. All rates shown as per annum. Contact us for a personalised illustration.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Genuine appetite for specialist construction plant
- New and used equipment both considered
- Competitive rates for established limited companies
- Can finance multi-unit roller fleets under one facility
- No arbitrary age caps - assesses condition over calendar age
- Experienced underwriters familiar with compaction equipment values
- Relationship-led decisions, not purely algorithmic
Limitations
- Minimum £10,000 - small plate compactors often fall short
- Not the strongest lender for sole traders or new starts
- Can be slower than digital-first lenders (24–72 hours)
- Rates less competitive for adverse credit profiles
- No operating lease product for compaction equipment
- Requires 2+ years of filed accounts for best rates
Who Close Brothers Suits for Compactor Finance
Close Brothers is best positioned for road contractors and groundwork companies with an established trading history. Typical applicants include:
- Groundwork contractors financing a Bomag BW120 or BW213 drum roller for site preparation
- Road surfacing firms upgrading to a Hamm HD138 tandem roller for new-build estate roads
- Housebuilders requiring compaction equipment for sub-base and drainage works
- Plant hire companies adding single drum rollers to a fleet of owned compaction equipment
- Civil engineering contractors with multi-phase contracts requiring fleet finance
If your business has less than 18 months trading history, adverse credit, or you're financing a plate compactor under £10,000, we would typically approach alternative lenders - see our best compactor finance rates guide for a full market view.