A machine having a work implement includes a sensor connected to the work implement, the sensor providing a signal indicative of a change in acceleration of the work implement. A cycle controller associated with the sensor, the cycle controller disposed to receive the signal and operating to monitor the signal. The cycle controller is programmed and operates to analyze the signal to determine at least a presence and a duration of a change in acceleration of the work implement of the machine with respect to time, compile an actual time trace of the change in acceleration of the work implement, compare the actual time trace with a predefined time trace that represents a work cycle segment, and catalog presence and duration of a work cycle segment when the actual time trace is consistent with the predefined time trace.