Rating of DDE snow blowers: model range, characteristics, prices, opinions of owners

Every year more and more owners of private territories are thinking about buying snow blowers.

With the help of these technologically advanced machines, it is possible to quickly and effortlessly remove snow from the site. The range of models is varied.

A worthy representative on the market are snow blowers of the DDE brand. Read the article about who produces them, what strengths and weaknesses they have, how to use them correctly and more.

Manufacturer

DDE is a popular American brand that produces:

• garden equipment,
• gas generators,
• lawn mowers,
• snow blowers,
• motor pumps.

The company was founded in the mid-20th century by inventor D. Davis.

Today the company has a well-deserved reputation as an innovative manufacturer that produces durable and reliable equipment.

Pros and cons of DDE snow removal machines

Advantages DDE snow blowers:

1. A wide range of. There are both petrol and electric models on sale.
2. Affordable price. Equipment with a full range of functions costs 10,000 – 15,000 less than well-known brands.
3. Powerful motors.Depending on the conditions in which the machines will be operated, you can select the required engine power from 5.5 to 13.0 liters. With.
4. Economical fuel and oil consumption.
5. Availability of models with wheels of different diameters and tracks.
6. Possibility of adjusting the distance and angle of snow throw. These values ​​range from 9 to 15 m for different models.
7. A set of necessary functions. There are models on sale with heated grips, with an electric starter, and with headlights.
8. The snow capture width is from 60 to 87 cm, which allows you to choose the appropriate model depending on the volume of work to be done.

Flaws:

• lack of headlights and electric starter on some models;
• Not all equipment is always available;
• Chinese LONCIN engines (assembled similarly to Honda), although some models have B&S engines, which are manufactured in the USA.

Popular petrol and electric models

Top 3 popular gasoline models:

ST6560L

Self-propelled petrol snow blower. Motor power is 6.5 hp. The width of the path to be cleaned is 60 cm. The auger is durable and made of metal.

Snow is thrown at a distance of up to 11 m. Wheels with a diameter of 13 inches. The total weight of the product is 50 kg. Price – 26,000 rubles.

ST6561L

Self-propelled petrol snow blower. The machine is equipped with a 65 hp engine. The snow capture width is 61 cm. It is thrown at a distance of up to 11 m.

The chute and auger are made of metal. The product weighs 64 kg. 14" wheels handle small obstacles with ease. Price – 62,000 rubles.

ST9071LE

Petrol snow blower. Engine power is 9 hp. The width of the path to be cleared is 71 cm. The auger is metal, embossed, and not subject to corrosion.

Wheels with a diameter of 15 inches, there is a headlight and heated grips. Snow is thrown at a distance of up to 13 m. Price – 75,000 rubles.

Top 3 electric models:

STE 180

Electric snow blower. 1.80 kW motor. The width of the path to be cleaned is 40 cm. The auger is rubber, smooth, and does not damage the surface.

Snow is thrown at a distance of 9 m. The chute is made of plastic. Price – 11,000 rubles.

STE 140

Electric snow blower. Motor power is 1.40 kW. In one pass it will be possible to clear a 26 cm wide path of snow.

The auger is plastic, covered with rubber for careful removal of snow from the surface of sidewalks. The ejection range is 9 m. The machine is lightweight, weighing only 5 kg. Price – 4,200 rubles.

STE 160

Electric snow blower. The machine is equipped with a motor with a power of 1.60 kW. Snow grip width – 34 cm.

The screw is made of plastic, with a rubber coating. Snow is thrown up to 6 m through a plastic chute. Price – 6,700 rubles.

Preparing for launch

Putting the equipment into operation requires a number of preparatory measures:

1. Assembling the machine and studying the operating instructions (for a new unit).
2. Filling the engine with oil or checking its level. This is done using a probe. Normally, the oil level should be at the FULL mark. The check is carried out before each start of any DDE gasoline snow blower.
3. Refilling the fuel tank. All models use AI-92 gasoline. It must be fresh, without foreign impurities.
4. Adjusting the direction of the snow ejection chute. If possible, it is installed in the direction of the wind. It should not be directed towards pedestrians or residential buildings.
5. Adjusting the position of the scraper.The more unevenness there is on the surface being treated, the higher it should be. The adjustment is made by changing the height of the skids located on the sides of the bucket.

How to launch and use?

The snow blower is started using a manual or electric starter. Depending on the chosen method, the algorithm of actions will change.

To start the engine manually, follow these steps:

• move the fuel valve to the ON position;
• close the air damper if the engine is cold - a warm engine can be started with the handle open;
• move the stop/start switch to the ON position;
• grab the starter handle and pull the cord towards you until resistance appears, then sharply pull it and slowly release it;
• if the engine does not start the first time, repeat the procedure;
• After starting, the handle is smoothly returned to its original place.

To start the engine using an electric starter, it is connected to the power supply. Then perform the first three steps, after which press the electric start button. If the motor does not start, you need to wait 10 seconds and repeat the procedure.

Features of machine operation:

1. After the engine has started, you do not need to immediately start clearing snow; it needs 3 minutes to warm up and enter mode.
2. To turn off the engine, turn the switch to the OFF position or the ignition key to the left position. Then close the fuel valve.
3. To adjust the speed and guide the snow blower, the lever is moved through the N position forward and backward.
4. The left lever on the handle controls the mixing and ejection of snow. The right lever is used to control the drive wheels.
5. If both levers are pressed, the Free Hand system is activated. In this case, the drive lever can be released, the auger will continue to rotate.
6. It is unacceptable to start the engine if any protective housing or mechanism has been removed from the machine.
7. To avoid injury, do not approach the auger body while the motor is running.

Maintenance and storage

To ensure that DDE snow blowers last as long as possible, It is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for their maintenance and storage:

1. If the machine is being used for the first time, the oil must be drained after 2 hours of continuous operation.

   Then it is replaced every 25 hours, or once a season. For engines, 5W-30 oil is used.

   It must be drained from a warm engine to completely remove all remaining waste fluid.

2. Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month. It should be the same and be 1.4 bar.
3. The gutter is cleaned after each use of the equipment with the engine turned off. In this case, you must wait at least 10 seconds until the auger stops rotating.
4. The tension of bolts and nuts should be checked as often as possible. This ensures safe operation of the device.
5. The spark plugs should be cleaned and replaced at least once a year.
6. The lubrication in the auger gearbox is checked once every 25 hours.
7. Before storing, the fuel tank is completely drained of gasoline. This will avoid damage to the container.

Where to buy?

You can buy DDE snow blowers at retail stores that sell household appliances and electronics.If the model you need is not in stock, you can always contact the online market and order delivery of the equipment. The purchase should be made on large online platforms to avoid transferring money to scammers.

Reviews

Users leave positive reviews about DDE snow blowers. They note:

• quick engine start,
• high-quality cleaning of loose snow.

Even at sub-zero temperatures, users start the engine without using an electric starter. With the help of compact models it is convenient to clean small paths. The equipment is maneuverable and light weight. People like the design of the models.

The disadvantages include

• the need to clean the gutter when removing wet snow,
• Difficulties when working on uneven surfaces.

There are also owners whose car quickly broke down.

Alternatives

As an alternative to DDE snow blowers, You can consider equipment from the following manufacturers:

• STIGA;
• DAEWOO;
• Huter et al.

Read about DAEWOO snow blowers Here, Huter - here.

Repair

If the snow blower breaks down, but its warranty period has not expired, you should contact the store where you made the purchase or a branded service center. Specialists will find out the cause of the breakdown and fix it at their own expense, provided that it was not caused by improper operation of the equipment.

You can deal with some malfunctions on your own, namely:

1. Cannot start the engine. You need to check if the ignition key is inserted.

   Perhaps it is in place, but not inserted all the way. The fuel valve must also be open.

2. The engine is not running well. Perhaps the reason comes down to a faulty spark plug. It needs to be replaced or cleaned of carbon deposits and dust.
3. The engine starts with difficulty. The reason may be that the air valve of the gas tank cap is blocked; it needs to be cleaned.
4. Auger does not rotate. There may be a foreign object in it that needs to be removed. You should also check the auger drive tension and belt condition. A complex fault is considered to be a broken shear bolt. To replace it, it is better to contact a workshop.

A common cause of equipment malfunction is expired gasoline. It must be drained and the tank refilled with fresh fuel.

Weak snow emission

If the chute is in the correct position, but the snow is not thrown the required distance, the following reasons must be eliminated:

• clean the gutter from snow, ice and dirt;
• remove foreign objects that could get into the auger;
• reduce the speed of movement - it may not correspond to the thickness of the snow cover;
• clean the deflector;
• inspect the drive belts.

If all causes are excluded, the help of a specialist is required.

Conclusion

DDE snow blowers will help you quickly and effortlessly clear your area of ​​snow. The range is varied, so choosing the right model will not be difficult.