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About James Laidler

Hello, I’m James. I write most of Garden Machinery Direct’s blogs, along with product descriptions, category pages, and other website content. I also look after the company’s X account and post on LinkedIn.

Latest from James Laidler

  • a man wearing orange chainsaw PPE, using a Husqvarna chainsaw to cut a fallen tree

      Stormy weather can leave a garden or estate looking like a woodland obstacle course. Fallen branches, snapped limbs, and partially uprooted trees can block access, damage property, and create hazards that need dealing with quickly. For many homeowners and landowners, a chainsaw feels like the most direct route to getting things back under control. [...]

  • a Husqvarna Automower navigating a complex garden, including a slope, steps, trees, and borders

      Robot mowers have come a long way from their early days of being simple, wire-guided machines quietly trimming straightforward lawns. Today, they’re tackling far more demanding spaces — gardens with sweeping borders, mature trees, ponds, sheds, greenhouses, and even lawns split into disconnected sections. As a result, choosing the right technology matters more than [...]

  • an arborist climbing a tree, with the STIHL MS 201 T Petrol Chainsaw in a case hanging from their back

      Choosing the right chainsaw is about far more than engine size or brand preference. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether you need a top handle chainsaw or a rear handle chainsaw. While both are designed to cut timber efficiently, they are built for very different working environments and levels of [...]

  • a man operating a STIHL petrol brushcutter at the edge of an overgrown garden, outside a house, with a mountain in the background

      To keeping garden machinery running smoothly, selecting the right fuel is essential. Many starting problems, poor performance issues, and costly repairs can be traced back to the petrol used in small engines. Therefore, understanding the difference between E5 fuel, E10 fuel, and long-life fuel can make a significant difference to your garden machinery’s reliability, [...]

  • the Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II Chainsaw against a white background

      When it comes to chainsaw performance, the chain itself plays a far bigger role than many users realise. Engine size, bar length, and brand reputation all matter, but the type of chainsaw chain you choose can dramatically influence cutting speed, finish quality, and how often you need to stop and sharpen. Few comparisons are [...]

  • a STIHL chainsaw and selection of chainsaw cleaning and maintenance products on a workshop bench

      As winter draws in and your work outdoors naturally slows, most of your garden machinery gets a well-earnt break. Therefore, this quieter season provides an opportune moment to give it the care it needs. Much like a car, garden machinery performs at its best when it’s regularly maintained. Leaving worn parts, stale fuel, or [...]

  • a smiling man dressed in a red jumper, stood next to a Christmas tree, holding a large present in red wrapping paper

      Last week, we shone the spotlight on 12 Cracking Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Under £50 – perfect little surprises for gardeners and DIY fans. This time, we’re stepping things up a notch. If you’re shopping for someone special, who really loves their garden tools and machinery, these 12 larger (but still sensibly priced) gifts [...]

  • a man packing STIHL lithium-ion batteries into a battery storage box, which is positioned on a workbench

      As temperatures drop and winter sets in, our thoughts naturally turn towards packing away the lawnmower, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower until next spring. Modern cordless garden tools make this seasonal pause wonderfully simple: no fuel stabiliser, no draining tanks, and no winter servicing rituals. But one thing that does need careful consideration is [...]

  • Christmas presents in an assortment of gold, brown and cream wrapping paper, underneath a Christmas tree

      If you’re stuck for inspiration on what to buy the garden machinery lover in your life this Christmas, we’ve got some great ideas for you—all of which are priced at under £50! In keeping with the festive spirit, we’re now going to show you 12 eclectic examples of the type of gift on offer—one [...]

  • an orange petrol chainsaw sitting in sawdust, next to some logs

      Petrol-powered garden tools remain a popular choice for both homeowners and professionals who need strong performance for demanding jobs. Whether you’re using a hedge trimmer, leaf blower, chainsaw, or other handheld tool, the reliability of the small 2 stroke engine inside your machine has a huge impact on productivity. When everything is working as [...]

  • to the left is a man in full chainsaw PPE using the STIHL MS 881 Petrol Chainsaw to fell a tree, and to the right is someone dressed in chainsaw PPE using the Husqvarna 592 XP Petrol Chainsaw to cut a fallen tree trunk

      If you spend any time researching chainsaws online, you’ll quickly encounter a much-asked question: Husqvarna or STIHL – which is best? As both brands have loyal fans, are trusted by professionals, and offer everything from compact cordless models to serious forestry saws, the Husqvarna v STIHL chainsaw debate in undoubtedly an issue that’s going [...]

  • a woman pulling the STIHL RE 80 Electric Pressure Washer out of a garage

      A sparkling clean patio can transform your entire garden, making it feel brighter, fresher, and ready for entertaining. However, over autumn and winter, even the most cared-for patios tend to collect moss, algae, and grime. When this happens, the best way to clean a patio and restore its natural colour and texture is with [...]