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The total number of hours a machine's engine or primary drive system has been running since new, recorded by the hourmeter — the primary depreciation proxy for heavy equipment.
Equipment hours (also called machine hours or hourmeter hours) are the single most important specification for valuing most heavy and mobile equipment.
Why hours matter more than age
A 2018 excavator with 12,000 hours has been worked far harder than a 2015 excavator with 3,500 hours. The 2015 machine will typically be worth more despite being older, because hours directly correlate with:
Typical service life benchmarks
| Category | Expected Life (hours) | Mid-life |
|---|---|---|
| Excavators / dozers | 10,000–15,000 | ~7,500 |
| Agricultural tractors | 8,000–12,000 | ~5,000 |
| Forklifts (IC) | 10,000–15,000 | ~7,500 |
| CNC machine tools | Shift-based, not hours | — |
| Generators | 20,000–30,000 | ~15,000 |
Verifying the hourmeter reading
Hourmeters can be tampered with or replaced. Cross-check with:
EasiMachines' valuation tool uses hours as one depreciation input alongside available listing evidence and equipment-specific condition signals. It provides a directional estimate, not a certified appraisal.
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