Barreto 1324 User manual

1324/1624/1824 owners manual.doc 6/4/08 Page 1 of 64
THE
MODELS 1324 & 1624 & 1824
HYDRAULIC TRENCHERS
CONGRATULATIONS!
You are now the proud owner of a BARRETO trencher. Please take a moment of your time to
look over the following information. Familiarize yourself with the trencher, its characteristics,
and method of operation. Pay particular attention to the safety and operating instructions.
If you have any questions or need any replacement parts in the future, please contact us at your
convenience. Our toll-free phone number, fax and email are listed below.
THANK YOU for your patronage and confidence in BARRETO equipment.
Barreto Manufacturing, Inc.
Innovative Equipment Engineered to Last
66498 Hwy 203, La Grande, OR 97850
[phone] [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.barretomfg.com

Page 2 of 64 6/4/08 1324/1624/1824 owners manual.doc
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove trencher from shipping crate.
2. Install boom onto boom pivot/mount with the 7/8" wide wear strip on bottom side of
boom. Push boom on as far as it will go. Be sure adjuster screw is backed out.
SERVICE INFORMATION
1. Check reservoir level using sight glass on the left side of the tank. If required, add to
reservoir with tractor transmission hydraulic oil. (Shell DONAX TD FLUID or
comparable). The tank holds approximately 15 gallons of hydraulic oil. Recheck oil
level after the trencher has been run and oil has been circulated through the wheel and
chain motors. Routinely check level thereafter. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK.
2. Change hydraulic oil filter after the first 50 hours of use. Change it every 200 hours
thereafter.
3. Add 1 quart of hydraulic oil to reservoir with each filter change.
4. Check all hydraulic fittings for leaks and tighten if necessary.
5. Grease per the following chart:
IMPORTANT: The engine is normally serviced prior to shipping. However, shipping
regulations may prohibit this. Check levels and add oil and fuel as required before starting.
Service according to the engine manual before starting.
WARNING: Running the engine without hydraulic oil will cause serious damage to the
hydraulic pump. CHECK RESERVOIR LEVEL BEFORE STARTING THE MACHINE.

1324/1624/1824 owners manual.doc 6/4/08 Page 3 of 64
DIGGING CHAIN INSTALLATION
1. Slide digging chain under sprocket, with teeth in the correct cutting direction. Properly
installed, the cutting edges of the chain will face forward on the top of the boom and
rearward on the bottom of the boom (see diagram below).
2. Start engine. Push digging boom control lever forward to lower boom onto the chain.
Shut off engine.
3. Wrap chain around boom and sprocket. Install chain master link or link pin.
4. Use boom adjuster screw to tighten chain. Chain should have enough slack to allow
approximately 2" of space between middle of boom and chain when boom and chain are
straight out in a horizontal position.
5. Tighten adjuster screw locknut and 4 boom mounting bolts.
Forward Cutting edge
Cutting edge Rearward

Page 4 of 64 6/4/08 1324/1624/1824 owners manual.doc
BARRETO TRENCHER OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
READ SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATING!
Be sure that the engine oil, fuel and hydraulic oil are at proper levels before starting the engine.
STUDY AND UNDERSTAND CONTROLS BEFORE BEGINNING
OPERATION.
1. IGNITION: Must be in “ON” position to start. “OFF” to stop.
2. ENGINE: This is the throttle. It controls engine speed. Operate at full throttle (all the way
forward).
3. CLUTCH LEVER: (At left handle grip). Activates GROUND SPEED and DIGGING
CHAIN controls when pulled up. Stops all motion when released. DIGGING CHAIN
control must be HELD in “ON” position as clutch lever is depressed in order to start chain in
motion.
4. AXLE: “UNLOCK” position (down) is for maneuvering. “LOCK” position (up) is for
digging. UNLOCK allows left wheel to freewheel while right wheel drives.
5. DIGGING BOOM: Raises and lowers the digging boom.
6. DIGGING CHAIN: Starts chain in forward rotation after clutch lever is engaged.
7. CHAIN: Allows manual operation of chain in forward or reverse rotation to dislodge objects
or dig difficult terrain. (This control can be used with the Clutch Lever released.) To reverse
chain, DIGGING CHAIN control must be in “OFF” position.
8. GROUND SPEED: Controls wheel speed forward or reverse after clutch lever is engaged.
9. GETTING STARTED: Start and warm up engine. Drive trencher to starting location with
AXLE in “UNLOCK” position.
LOCK AXLE. Hold DIGGING CHAIN control in “ON” position. With GROUND SPEED
control in neutral, pull up CLUTCH LEVER and slowly lower DIGGING BOOM to desired
depth. Slowly move GROUND SPEED control in REVERSE direction until desired speed is
reached. (Varying soil conditions may require adjustments to ground speed to avoid wheel
spin or engine overload.)
10. FOR HARD TO DIG AREAS or if object (rock or root) gets lodged in chain, release
CLUTCH LEVER. This will lock wheels in position. Manually reverse chain with the CHAIN
control to dislodge object. Manually run chain forward with CHAIN control to dig through roots
or rocky areas. Intermittently activate CLUTCH LEVER to move trencher back a few inches
and repeat until hard area is passed. Resume normal operation.
ALWAYS THOROUGHLY CLEAN AND SERVICE TRENCHER AFTER EACH USE.

1324/1624/1824 owners manual.doc 6/4/08 Page 5 of 64
BARRETO HYDRAULIC TRENCHER
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• READ SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE
OPERATING!
• Do not leave trencher unattended with the engine running.
• No parking brake. Always leave trencher parked on a level surface.
• The SAFETY CLUTCH lever on the left handlebar is for operator
protection. DO NOT TAPE DOWN OR OTHERWISE BY-PASS THIS
CLUTCH.
• Objects may become airborne while operating trencher. Wear safety
goggles and hard hat while operating or observing!
• Digging chain, auger and other moving parts can cut off arms, legs, or
fingers. STAY CLEAR!
• Buried cables or gas lines can cause serious injury or death. Contact local
agencies for location.
• Exhaust and fuel fumes can cause illness or death. Operate outdoors and
avoid breathing exhaust and fumes.
• Fuel fumes can catch fire or explode. Do not smoke or operate near flames
or sparks.
• Hydraulic oil is under extreme pressure and can get under skin and burn or
poison. Check for leaks with cardboard.
• Muffler and engine get hot enough to cause serious burns. Do not touch
until cool.