Cub Cadet 149 hydraulic lift problem

[jeff216410]

I have a problem with the hydro lift slowly drifting down on my 149 while it is running. I started noticing the mowing deck getting lower and lower as I am mowing and have to lift it up every now and then. This past year in the snow, after about 1.5 hours of blowing snow the snowthrower would not stay up. I had to keep the lift lever pulled to keep the snowthrower raised otherwise it would just fall to the ground. That tells me the fluid was hot (and thin) from running at max engine speed and power for a long time. Where in the hydraulic system should I look at to fix? It seems like I have an internal fluid leak somewhere.

 

[art]

I'd lay odds that it is the cylinder leaking!

 

[jeff216410]

is the cylinder on a 149 rebuildable? I'm assuming it needs new seals inside? Thanks!