I used an engine lift as well last time lol. After a failed attempt to rig up a sort of major shift gantry lol! I think you're right. That top cover is gonna have to come back off and it kinda makes me want to vomit haha. Thats how it goes sometimes!
I don't think it would have been installed backwards because I did pay pretty close attention to the diagrams from the parts manual. I'm pretty sure I changed the seal because I think I had to fabric a puller to get that bad boy out. I may be thinking of the wrong part tho. I'll check on the remotes again and get back with you.
If you had to make a puller, that's the unload valve. A stuck unload valve can cause the lift not to work at all without affecting the remotes.
we pulled thet cover back off. Realized that the flow control knob (I think) was seized and the actual piston was sorta seized up. So we tapped it out rehoned and lubed it. It was moving again and threw it all back together. It still isn't doing anything. With fluid in the cylinder it held the lift arms up but the controls didn't cause any changes. I think it may have lowered them down but that's it. Now my rear remotes aren't building any pressure either. 
I've been looking for a someone jn my area thay works on tractors of any kind with no luck yet. If I can't find anyone I'm gonna give it one more college try. I'll be sure to come back here with pics and videos. Also if anyone happens to know anyone who knows anything about these tractors in the Fairield County SC area. I've got some dollar bills with their name on it.
