Roger, I think your "power beyond plug" in your loader control has become loose and is allowing fluid to bypass back to the reservoir instead of going back to the 3PH. Only when you use the loader will enough back pressure be generated to allow the 3PH to operate. Even when it operates, I'd bet the 3PH doesn't have a lot of lift. In the picture below, I've shown a photo of my loader control valve. Circled in green is a plug you remove for access to the Power Beyond Plug. That plug will be an Allen-head plug and will be loose in the cavity. Use an Allen wrench to screw the plug back in and re-install your cover. I'd bet that's all it will take to return full functionality.
You didn't say, but is your loader the 7308 or the 14LA? It shouldn't matter. Both have a similar joystick valve that may not be exactly like my photo, but it will be close enough to locate the plug.
EDIT: Oops! I see now that you said your tractor was a 2000 model, so that means it is a 7308 loader if it is New Holland. Even if the loader is not New Holland, it probably has a power beyond plug that is similar.