Amphibious Excavators for Sale

Buying guide

Amphibious excavators

Excavators mounted on sealed pontoon undercarriages for swamps, shallow water, wetlands, dredging and flood-defence work, where standard tracks would sink or lose traction. Buoyant steel pontoons spread the load and let the machine float, wade or work on soft saturated ground. Understand the class below, then compare the live stock by make, year, hours and price.

In stock18 machines6 show a price

Years1975 to 2026New and used

Mostly located inChina · Germany · Netherlands

Find by make

Caterpillar 6 ROHR 3 28DREDGING 2 Sany 2 Mohr & Federhaff 1 Ridinger 1 Truxor 1 XGMA 1

Prices for Amphibious excavators

2017 Caterpillar 320C Amphibious Excavator2017 · 3,200 h€26,420

2021 Caterpillar 320C Amphibious Excavator2021 · 1,156 h€30,000

2024 Caterpillar 320CL Amphibious Excavator2024 · 300 h€31,533

2017 Caterpillar 320CL Amphibious Excavator2017€36,562

2023 Caterpillar 320BL Amphibious Excavator2023 · 1,700 h€44,317

Choosing the right type

Standard pontoon undercarriageFixed-width sealed pontoons replace conventional tracks, giving flotation and grip across mud, marsh and shallow water.

Extendable side pontoons with spudsHydraulic spuds and widening pontoons extend the working width for extra stability on open water or deep silt.

Conversion kits vs purpose-built machinesA bolt-on pontoon undercarriage adapts a standard excavator; a purpose-built amphibious machine integrates hull, drive and controls from new.

Long-reach fronts for dredgingExtended boom and arm sections reach further into channels and ponds without moving the machine, suited to dredging and bank clearance.

TransportabilityWide pontoon width often exceeds standard road limits, so check whether pontoons detach or fold for trailer transport.

What to check before buying

Pontoon seals and chainsInspect pontoon shell welds and access hatches for leaks, and check drive chains and sprockets for wear and correct tension.

Corrosion on hull and rollersStanding water and mud accelerate rust on the pontoon hull, rollers and axles; look closely at waterline areas and weld seams.

Hydraulic drive to pontoon tracksConfirm the hydraulic motors, hoses and final drives powering the pontoon tracks run smoothly with no leaks or uneven power to either side.

Machine weight vs pontoon flotationMatch the upper excavator's operating weight, including attachments, to the pontoon's rated flotation and load capacity before buying.

Common questions

What is an amphibious excavator used for?

Amphibious excavators work swamps, wetlands, riverbanks, ponds and flood-defence sites where the ground is too soft or wet for standard tracked machines, handling dredging, vegetation clearance and earthmoving in shallow water.

Can any excavator be converted to amphibious use?

Many mid-size excavators accept a bolt-on pontoon undercarriage kit, but the upper structure, hydraulics and counterweight must suit the added width and weight. Purpose-built machines are engineered for the role from the outset.

How do these machines move on water?

Sealed pontoons provide buoyancy while hydraulically driven tracks on each pontoon propel and steer the machine, letting it wade, float or move across soft mud at low speed.

What should I check before buying a used one?

Focus on pontoon seal integrity, corrosion at the waterline, condition of the hydraulic drive to the pontoon tracks, and whether the machine's weight and attachments match the pontoon's flotation rating.