I agree there should be no way for this to happen. I got a license from deere to use their software on this specific tractor and had to buy data interface to read the codes for about $900 The codes were hitch position sensor errors. I cleared it and couldnt get it to repeat on its own. The sensor reads about 1 volt with the hitch raised to the top. The code is triggered at below 0.5 volts. I could get the code to repeat by manually pulling the arms upward, past the point of where the lift link broke out of the housing. If the lift arms were violently pushed upwards by sliding back into a tree or by trying to lift the tractor by its arms, the link could theoretically be forced out the back of the housing. Taking the housing apart revealed a dent in the edge of the lift piston where it over extended and kissed the lift link. I think this disproves the abuse theory and suggests the machine self destructed. One of the operation modes for the hitch is open loop, i think. If you lift the hitch to the top this way, the relief valves in the system should keep the housing from breaking like this even if the operator is ignorant.