Andy, there is another check you might make before you start "opening up" your tractor. You would have to wait until the problem occurs again. If/when it does, check the engine loading when you move the joystick so you can tell if the hydraulic pump and system is trying to move the bucket. Next, drop the bucket to the ground and back your tractor up to let the bucket be forced forward by the lip against the ground. After it moves a short amount, try to curl it up again with the joystick. If it goes up, you may have a cylinder that leaks internally only when it is completely extended. You may think that because you have two cylinders, the other one should lift the bucket, but because they are in parallel in the hydraulic circuit, a leak in one cylinder will bypass all fluid. If it's not a leak, then you might start looking for trash or blockage. It could also be a spool in a control valve, but that is something you'd want to have checked in the shop. I don't remember, was your tractor new or used? I know it was shipped to you from a distant dealer. It must be frustrating to have a new tractor and also have problems./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Good luck.