I'm going to put bar on the pto shaft and see if I can turn it counter clockwise as you suggested. I ordered a liquid filled pressure test gauge and hose today. hopefully I'll get it tomorrow and can get the pressure readings. Is the dip stick on the lower left side of the seat the one that gauges hydrolic / trans fluid? It doesn't have any hash marks on it, but it sure does look low. I expect the fluid level needs to be close to capacity before hoping to get an accurate reading, correct?