656 remotes failed

My brother parked the tactor (fully functional) a while ago and left both levers in float. Went to use it last week and loader was gone (both lift and bucket tilt are gone). You can just see the cylinders try (they barley move 1/8")

Here's what I've checked so far:
power steering - normal
2pt - normal
Thinking ice, moved it to a heated shop for a day - nothing
Talked to local Red mech - said to check for pressure relief or check valve next to seat mount (looks like 1 1/8" hex nut) - I took that out and inspected -- assuming fluid enters it from the end or screen side I tried to blow through it and was able to (shouldn't that be set for much higher pressure?)

sorry for incorrect terminology -- any input?

Thanks,
Eric

howie