As a college student working part-time at a tool rental company, Greg Barreto was frustrated by the amount of time he spent fixing the tillers that were constantly breaking down. He knew there had to be a way to make a better tiller. One that could withstand the abuse of the industry.

Greg knew the tiller parts most often needing repair were the belts, chains, and gears. If he could eliminate these high maintenance mechanical components, the tiller would be more reliable by design and more efficient for the owner and operator. He experimented with hydraulic power and found he could make a rental duty tiller – without belts, chains, or gears.

In 1982, Greg designed and built the industry’s first all-hydraulic tiller. He sold that first tiller to his employer at the rental yard, who rented it for over 20 years. Greg and his wife, Chris, founded Barreto Manufacturing, Inc. in January of 1984. Customers, eager to save the cost and hassle of frequent repairs, gave the new tiller a try and came back with glowing reviews. Word of the revolutionary new all-hydraulic tiller spread and Barreto Manufacturing grew. In 1986, Greg and Chris moved their family to La Grande, Oregon, and set up manufacturing operations for all-hydraulic tillers.