Beyond the Hour Meter: Understanding Crane Usage Through Working Hours
When assessing a used crane, Total Hours are often the first — and sometimes only — metric reviewed. This is largely because they are easily accessible via the hour meter, which provides a simple, visible representation of crane usage. However, this industry-standard figure reflects only the cumulative time the engine has been running, not how intensively the crane has been used. Total Hours alone do not provide a complete or accurate assessment of a crane’s true operational workload.
Distinguishing Total, Working, and Idle Hours
Modern cranes track two critical categories of runtime:
- Total Hours: The visible hour meter reading that records all engine-on time, regardless of activity.
- Working Hours: A non-visible metric requiring diagnostic tools, representing the time the crane has spent actively lifting or working under load.
The difference between these two values is defined as Idle Hours—periods when the crane is powered on but not performing lifting operations.
Idle Hours Represent a Significant Share of Runtime
Fleet analysis conducted by Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. reveals that as much as 77% of Total Hours in some cranes are Idle Hours. These hours accrue during:
- Assembly or disassembly procedures
- Waiting for rigging, signal coordination, or load positioning
- Operation of auxiliary systems such as climate control
Idle time contributes minimally to structural wear or mechanical fatigue compared to active lifting.
Working Hours: A More Accurate Indicator of Usage
Working Hours serve as the most reliable indicator of how extensively a crane has been utilized for its core function — lifting. This figure offers insight into:
- The mechanical and structural stress endured
- The hydraulic system’s active workload
- The appropriate timing of wear-based maintenance
Relying solely on Total Hours may lead to:
- Misjudging a crane’s remaining useful life
- Premature or misaligned service intervals
- Undervaluation or overvaluation on equipment purchases
Implications for Buyers, Fleet Managers, and Maintenance Teams
Understanding the distinction between Total, Working, and Idle Hours allows for:
- More precise equipment valuation
- Smarter maintenance planning aligned with actual load-bearing activity
- Improved capital investment decisions
Idle time should not be conflated with operational workload. A holistic view of hour metrics — especially Working Hours — enables informed decisions that directly affect performance, longevity, and return on investment.
Expert Analysis Backed by Operational Data
With more than a century of experience managing a crane fleet across North America, Bigge has developed deep insight into how cranes are truly used. We apply that knowledge to every crane we sell, offering buyers detailed operational data and inspection reports to support more informed decisions.
When you choose a crane from Bigge, you’re not relying on assumptions; you’re getting transparency backed by real-world fleet experience.