Used CAT 320C Amphibious Excavator for Dredging and Wetland Work

The used CAT 320CL amphibious excavator combines a proven Caterpillar excavator upper structure with a wide floating pontoon undercarriage.

Unlike a standard crawler excavator, this machine is designed for soft and waterlogged ground where conventional tracks may sink or lose mobility. Therefore, it is a practical solution for river cleaning, wetland construction, drainage projects, swamp excavation, shoreline work, and shallow-water dredging.

Hefei Longmai Construction Machinery Trading Co., Ltd. supplies used construction machinery to overseas buyers and can support equipment inspection, export documents, international shipping, spare parts, and remote maintenance guidance.

CAT 320CL Amphibious Excavator Specifications

The upper structure uses CAT 320CL reference specifications. Pontoon dimensions and total machine weight depend on the amphibious conversion installed on the actual unit.

*Base CAT 320CL reference. Actual amphibious-machine weight and travel performance change after pontoon conversion.
**Depends on boom and stick configuration.

Caterpillar documentation lists the standard CAT 320CL with a Cat 3066 T engine, 103 kW flywheel power and 205 L/min maximum flow from each main pump.

Floating Pontoon Undercarriage for Soft Ground

The key feature of this machine is its amphibious pontoon undercarriage.

Instead of normal narrow crawler tracks, the excavator uses two long, wide floating boxes. This increases the contact area with the ground and helps spread the machine load over mud, swamp soil and other low-bearing-capacity surfaces.

Comparable CAT 320CL amphibious conversions use pontoon systems around 8.5–10 meters long. Some configurations reach about 5.2 meters in overall pontoon width after assembly. However, pontoon dimensions are custom and should be confirmed on the actual machine.

This design makes the machine far more suitable for wet terrain than a standard crawler excavator.

Designed for River and Wetland Projects

A conventional excavator works best on firm ground. However, many water-management projects do not offer stable access.

The CAT 320CL amphibious excavator can be used for:

• River and canal dredging
• Wetland restoration
• Swamp excavation
• Drainage channel cleaning
• Pond and lake maintenance
• Flood-control projects
• Shoreline construction
• Sediment removal
• Land reclamation
• Soft-ground earthmoving

Amphibious CAT 320CL conversions are widely offered for marsh, river, lake and reclamation applications because the pontoon chassis improves mobility on weak ground.

CAT 3066 T Engine and Hydraulic Power

The CAT 320CL uses the Cat 3066 T diesel engine with 6.37 L displacement.

Its reference flywheel power is 103 kW, while gross power is about 107 kW. The hydraulic system uses two main pumps rated at approximately 205 L/min each. Maximum implement pressure reaches about 34.3 MPa.

This hydraulic output supports digging, lifting and swing operations during dredging and soft-ground work.

For used equipment, buyers should also inspect the engine, hydraulic pump, cylinders, hoses and control valves before shipment.

Lower Ground Pressure Where Standard Tracks Struggle

Soft soil creates a major problem for conventional excavators: machine weight is concentrated over a relatively small track area.

The amphibious pontoon system spreads that load over a much larger surface.

As a result, the excavator can work in locations such as mud flats, marshes and wet construction zones where a normal crawler machine may become stuck.

However, operating depth, flotation limits and stability depend on the exact pontoon design, working attachment, water depth and ground condition. Each project should therefore be matched to the actual machine configuration.

Suitable for Long-Reach Configuration

Amphibious excavators are often paired with long-reach booms for waterway work.

A longer boom can allow operators to remove sediment farther from the machine and reduce the need to reposition the excavator.

The photos show a standard-style digging boom rather than an extreme long-reach setup. However, attachment requirements can be discussed according to the project.

Longmai also states that it can provide customized construction-machinery modifications for overseas projects.

Key Inspection Points for an Amphibious Excavator

When buying a used amphibious excavator, buyers should check both the CAT upper structure and the modified pontoon system.

Important areas include:

• Engine starting and running condition
• Hydraulic pump response
• Boom and stick cylinders
• Swing bearing
• Bucket and linkage wear
• Pontoon steel structure
• Pontoon welds and sealing areas
• Track chains and drive components
• Hydraulic travel motors
• Connection frame between pontoons
• Corrosion and previous repair areas

For water-related equipment, the condition of the pontoon structure is especially important.

Export Support for Amphibious Equipment

Amphibious excavators are wider and heavier than standard crawler machines. Therefore, transport planning must consider pontoon dimensions and whether the undercarriage should be partly dismantled before shipping.

Longmai provides quality inspections, customs-clearance documentation, international shipping coordination, after-sales parts supply and remote maintenance guidance for overseas machinery buyers.

This can support contractors, dredging companies and machinery dealers sourcing special-purpose equipment from China.

Request a CAT 320CL Amphibious Excavator Quote

Looking for a used CAT 320CL amphibious excavator for sale?

Send us your destination country, project type, expected water or mud conditions, required digging depth and preferred attachment.

We can provide actual machine photos, operation videos, pontoon dimensions, configuration details, inspection information and shipping options.

Contact Longmai to select a CAT 320CL amphibious excavator for dredging, wetland construction, drainage or soft-ground projects.