[Kbar]

Is cycling the same as using the hydraulics for a long time until the air is cleared?

Yea. Cycling the controls runs fluid through the system and back to the reservoir.
Whens the last time you did a hydraulic service? Did you recently work your tractor really hard? Some hydraulic oil can get cooked but it take a lot to do that. There should be an air vent on your system that is designed to release built up air. Take a picture of the oil and post it. If it’s milky or that’s not good and there could be water and or algae in it.
If it’s a little cloudy there could be air in there and air creates cavitation which is the jumpiness you’re describing. Get some pictures of the hydro oil if you can

 

[Kbar]

What fluid did you put in there?