A recent TikTok video has left Malaysians both puzzled and fascinated by an excavator floating across a river as if it were a boat!

@shafiq_roshdi #soundviral #fypageシ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #trending #masukberandafyp #xyzbca original sound - Abang Panjang - ️AbangPansheng️

Posted by user @shafiq_roshdi, the short clip shows the heavy machine gliding smoothly through a river in Rembau, with the operator skillfully using the shovel arm to steer and push it along the water. Instead of sinking, the excavator effortlessly cruises forward, prompting thousands of comments from curious netizens.

Many viewers admitted they had no idea that excavators could even enter the water, let alone float. But here's the fun fact: this isn't your everyday construction vehicle. It's an *amphibious excavator*, a machine specifically designed to tackle watery terrains.

According to SAYS, unlike regular excavators that rely on metal crawler tracks, amphibious ones are equipped with large, airtight pontoons. These pontoons allow the excavator to stay buoyant and stable while operating in rivers, swamps, or flood zones. Because of this, they're often nicknamed swamp buggies in the construction world.

The shovel arm also serves a double purpose; it's used for both digging and helping propel the excavator through water. And thanks to its sealed hydraulic system, elevated engine placement, and waterproof design, the machine can handle wet environments without suffering water damage or rust.

Of course, that doesn't mean the operator can turn it into a jet ski or take it out to sea. Amphibious excavators are still very much workhorses, typically used for river cleaning, pond desilting, flood control, and other heavy-duty water projects.

To those unfamiliar, the sight might look like a bizarre science experiment or some kind of DIY amphibious tank, but rest assured, it's all part of the design. So no, the abang in the video isn't taking unnecessary risks. The machine was built for exactly this kind of terrain.

Source: SAYS