NH 2120 w/leaking 7309 lift cylinder: How to open the lift cylinder?

[grcutter]

I have a 2000 NH 2120 with a 7309 front loader.
The right lift cylinder is leaking and I would like to install the new seal kit.

But I can not budge the cylinder head (end cap) at all!

A couple of questions:
1. What is the correct direction to spin the end cap? By looking at the retainer wire through the slot, it seems that the cyclinder head should rotate counter clockwise when viewed from the tractor seat. Is this correct?
2. There are two tool holes in the cyclinder head. What is the name of the tool that uses these holes and what size should it be? Does Harbor Freight carry this tool? I've been using a large pipe wrench and a torque extension bar. Would this tool be any better than my pipe wrench?
3. Can I use heat on this connection? What do I risk damaging by using heat?

Any other suggestions? I'm stuck at this point.h

 

[TractorTech]

1. Counterclockwise would be the direction.
2. A spanner for cylinder glands should be used, but would not budge yours HF does not carry any.
3. Penetrating oil would help, but heat can also be used to loosen up the most likely rusted gland. Don't heat too much. The only thing that you are damaging is the seals that you are replacing.

 

[thclimer]

This video is a good reference for rebuilding cylinders:

 

[grcutter]

Thanks @TractorTech and @thclimer,
I managed to get the gland loose using the 450mm pipe wrench and 6ft of pipe as a torque extender after applying heat from MAP gas for 5 minutes.
The next problem was that the little hook on the wire retainer was sheared off. The gland rotated but the wire stayed in place. This made getting the wire out really difficult.
Water had indeed gotten in between the gland and the wire as a lot of rust was found there after it came apart.
Counter-clockwise is the correct direction to spin the left side gland for removal.
The gland seal was really gone. I needed the video above to figure out the orientation for the new seal.

 

[TractorTech]

Those retaining wires are emreal fun to get out when the tail has broken off.
Glad to hear you got it.