Your suggestion of coupler failure was correct,  The Multi-coupler for the loader   has never been disconnected  in the two years  I have owned the tractor, and I have reason to suspect  likely not for a long time, if  ever,  before that    (2007 delivery)
Once I bypassed the multi coupler   after the dramas  I had finding the right hydraulic fittings  ( http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=287275&posts=20#M2231468)  it all worked  fine. 

Since I am  unlikely to ever remove the loader, it will stay  as it is now.

To all....Thanks for your responses  on both  related issues.