Dozer and Motor Grader Financing in Canada

Which earthmoving machines are covered?

A crawler dozer, also called a bulldozer, pushes soil, clears sites and grades land. Its blade does the pushing. Some dozers also have a ripper, a rear attachment that breaks hard ground.

Our construction and excavation financing hub covers other equipment purchases and financing situations.

A motor grader shapes a road or work surface with a long blade. A road builder may use one to maintain slopes, shape gravel and finish a road before paving.

A wheel tractor-scraper cuts and carries soil. An articulated dump truck carries material across rough job sites. These machines may be reviewed as part of a defined earthworks fleet, but lenders may treat each asset differently.

This guide covers sitework equipment. For excavators, loaders and backhoes, or road-going dump trucks under our trucking coverage, use the appropriate guide. Mining-specific rigid haul trucks are outside this page's scope.

Why does a used dozer's undercarriage matter?

The undercarriage is the tracks, rollers, sprockets and other parts that carry and move a crawler dozer. These parts wear as the machine works. Replacing worn components can be a major expense for the buyer.

Before you agree on the price of a used dozer, ask the seller for its hours, service records and a recent inspection of the tracks and undercarriage. If the seller has an undercarriage-wear report from a dealer or technician, include it with your purchase information.

A high-hour machine is not automatically unsuitable for financing. But its age, condition, remaining service support, purchase price and the lender's view of the asset may affect the result. Raymond Leigh cannot promise that a specific age or hour count will qualify.

Can a blade, ripper or other attachment be included?

A dealer's quote might include the dozer, blade, ripper and other items in one package. A used purchase may have attachments listed separately. Give the financing source a quote that identifies the machine and the major add-ons, with a price for each where possible.

An attachment bought months after the machine is a different transaction from one delivered with the original machine. Whether an attachment, installation, tax, delivery charge or other related cost can be included depends on the lender and structure. See our guide to equipment-related costs.

Motor grader financing: what should be on the quote?

A motor grader purchase should clearly identify the machine's make, model, year, serial number, hours, seller and price. Note the blade and any additional attachments or grade-control equipment.

For a used grader, ask what has been inspected and repaired. Hours alone do not explain the complete condition of the machine. A written mechanical assessment may help the buyer understand what work is due. A lender may request further documents depending on the file.

Can GPS or 3D grade control be financed with the machine?

A dozer or grader may include a built-in machine-control system. Other machines are fitted with an aftermarket GPS or 3D grading kit. These are not always the same purchase.

Show the hardware, installation, software and subscription costs separately. If the GPS hardware can move to another machine, identify the kit and its seller on the quote. Do not assume that software subscriptions, an aftermarket kit or installation will receive the same financing treatment as the main machine.

For a separate kit, ask the financing source what information it needs and whether that part of the purchase can be considered. A clear itemized quote is the right starting point.

Financing a fleet for one earthworks project

A contractor may need a dozer to prepare a site, a grader to finish it and an articulated hauler to move material. If several machines are part of one purchase, prepare one equipment schedule showing the cost, supplier and delivery date of each asset.

A single project budget helps explain why the machines are needed together. It does not mean every cost or machine will automatically qualify under one offer.

Buying used equipment at an auction or from a private seller

A used dozer from an established dealer often comes with an invoice and clear seller details. An auction or private sale may require extra checks for ownership, serial numbers, condition, existing security interests and payment deadlines.

Do not bid or pay a non-refundable deposit assuming financing will be ready by a certain date. Review the sale terms first and discuss the transaction before committing. The detailed used heavy equipment financing guide explains these buying situations. For security interests, see the equipment lien guide.

Does a roadwork contract help explain the purchase?

A signed earthworks or road-maintenance contract may help show why a contractor is buying another machine. You can share the contract, expected start date, job scope and any other work already booked.

A contract is not a financing guarantee. The lender still evaluates the borrower and the equipment. If you are buying in advance of an award, say so clearly rather than presenting a possible job as a signed one. Our guide to financing equipment for a new customer contract explains the broader situation.

Can a new construction company finance a dozer?

A newer business may have less operating history to show. The lender may then look more closely at the owner's relevant experience, existing obligations, available funds, the equipment and the overall work plan.

There is no universal minimum business age or approval rule. If your bank declined the request, another financing source may review the file differently, but not all lenders consider previously declined transactions. See financing after a bank decline.

Dealer financing, bank financing or an independent broker?

A dealer or manufacturer may offer a financing option alongside the machine. A bank may evaluate the equipment as part of an existing relationship. An independent brokerage can review the transaction and explore financing partners that may be suitable.

These options are not mutually exclusive. Compare the full cost, required security, payment schedule, ownership terms and what happens if the machine is sold or replaced early. Raymond Leigh does not automatically send a file to every lender in its network. For more, see broker versus direct lender and how to compare financing offers.

Equipment loan or lease: what should you compare?

Ask who owns the machine during the agreement, when payments start, what happens at the end of the term and what it costs to exit early. A low monthly payment alone does not show the full price of financing.

Review the equipment loan versus lease guide and have your accountant explain any tax or accounting consequences for your business.

Already own the dozer or grader?

A business that owns equipment may wish to explore refinancing or a sale-leaseback instead of financing a new purchase. These transactions depend on the machine, current security interests and the borrower's financial position. Read the separate heavy-equipment refinancing guide.

What should you send Raymond Leigh first?

Send the equipment quote or proposed bill of sale, the seller's name, the make/model/year/serial number, machine hours and any available inspection or service records. Add separate prices for GPS systems, blades, rippers and other attachments. Tell us whether the purchase is a replacement, a fleet addition or part of a specific project, and when the seller expects payment.

Raymond Leigh reviews the request as a brokerage and identifies financing sources worth considering. The lender makes the final approval decision and sets the terms. Send us your equipment details to begin a review.

Common questions about dozer and grader financing

Can I finance a dozer with high hours?

Possibly. The lender may look at hours along with condition, age, serviceability, value, the seller and the borrowing business. There is no universal hour cutoff.

Does the seller need to provide an undercarriage report?

Not every file will require the same inspection documents. A current report can help you assess a used dozer's condition and may be useful when the lender reviews the asset.

Can a GPS kit be included if it is on another invoice?

That depends on the lender. Identify the kit separately and ask how the hardware, software and installation would be treated.

Is an articulated dump truck the same as a road dump truck?

No. An articulated hauler is built mainly for off-road sites. Road-going dump trucks are covered under our trucking equipment financing information.

Can I finance equipment bought at an auction?

Some financing sources review auction purchases, subject to the equipment, buyer, seller and terms. You should understand deadlines and ownership checks before bidding. Approval or funding by an auction deadline cannot be assumed.