my machines are work horses, I do rugs on any of then and coil bowls etc and I do not kno many people that have put the miles I have and I never think about hours I run it or any of them. Never have to lube then and my oldest ie 20 years old.
3 do embroidary, and mt oldest was the first one and it will go many more miles. The tecks can only tell hours if it is a computer machine. I wouldn't get a machine if I wasn't
going tou use it. Why are you concerned with how many hours you put on it,,,, should last a lot longer than a few years. How old is it now? That machine on ebay would be an ornament and a boat anchor to move around...better deals than that. And the other lady that answered is right no dropping the feed dogs. If you just want a good little straight stitch piecer look t the feather weights. A true feather weight not a copy.
If I can be of more help let me know.