Reply to Bill T -

​Thanks for your reply. Yes, the cargo bed is operated by hydraulics and requires the engine to be running. You are also correct the release point can't be reached with the cargo bed lowered. The good news is the problem is solved! I raised the cargo bed with my tractor front end loader. The lever for lowering the bed was held open as the bed was raised very slowly to allow the lift cylinder to draw hydraulic fluid from the tank as the bed was raised. Once oil was added to the engine, the cargo bed was lower and raised successfully using the engine and hydraulic system. I'm not sure this is a 'John Deere approved" method, but it worked.