This thread started in 2005 so the unit was only 5 years old then.
But I still agree with your thought pattern - hour meter reading often do not reflect the true operational hours. In the days of those round Hobbs & Hobbs look a like hour meters, they were readily replaced & done cheaply or easily disconnected for various reasons. Some hour meters were designed to record key on time, some when oil pressure was sensed or drive circuit was engaged or other way. Seem to recall that Crown had 3 hour meter reading on their NA equipment. Many LT manufacturers have their own way some were done the same way.