Update: My dealer says that the first batch of these blowers were made in Japan. They're gearing up to produce them in the USA. His distributor said that he has 18,000 units on order. That's 1000 pallets! Myself and all of my landscaper buddies in town who have them agree that they're a game changer for leaf cleanups and that having one salvaged a very difficult (wet) cleanup season.
I put over 100 hours on my unit without a single mechanical issue. That's a good start. It does take a little while to warm up in sub-freezing temperatures, longer than other blowers I own. I did check the air filter and knock out the pre-filter. Otherwise I haven't serviced it at all.
Did I mention this thing is LOUD? It's a bit too loud really. I recommend doubling up on hearing protection with plugs and over-the-ear protection if you're going to run it for extended periods of time at high throttle.
P.S. - Be careful when taking off and putting this unit down. The edges on the bottom of the frame hurt when you scrape/drop it against your lower legs.