Dissasembly questions

I am slowly taking apart my JD1010, as I believe I broke the ring gear or stripped the pinion. I have the parts manual and shop manual, but they arent very good on details. I am trying to get a look at the ring gear area to do an inspection, and have the seat and fenders off. I just pulled the trans shifter cover off to look inside, the trans gears all look ok but I couldnt see inside to the ring gear area. Can I remove the large hydraulic assy that is under the seat in one piece to get a look inside to the ring gear? Here is a picture of the part I am talking about. Can I just unbolt it and pull it up and off?

Looks like I found the problem..I went ahead and looked at some other stuff before pulling the rock shaft housing, and when I pulled the cover for the left side axle drive gear, I found a gear tooth laying inside. I pulled the final drive off, and found the pinion gear missing 4 teeth, all broken off and laying in the housing. Main large bull gear looks ok. Looks like I got lucky, I would think the ring and pinion are ok. Since I dont believe this tractor has a locking rear,this damage would kill both drive wheels from what I can figure, all power would of been put to the easier wheel to turn, or in this case the broken gear, so the tractor wouldnt move. Sound right?