All lead acid batteries have the following voltage after they have rested (have not been charged or loaded in 30 minutes)
Fully charged =12.78Volts
3/4 full = 12.50
1/2 full = 12.25 Do not use battery here for any length of time otherwise damage to cells internally.
So rull of thumb for every...
I love mine when I was comparing tractors one thing I was very suprised to find is it has considerable more weight (STEEL) than many others of same class. I also compared lifting power of bucket and it won there. Mine has been flawless and I will by another
Yes grounds are extremely important and without having used your tractor in last 24 hrs and have not charged it what is the resting voltage of your battery. Should rest at 12.78V if its 12.50 or lower your 50% charged. then with tractor running what is voltage across battery. Should be minimum...
I always use simple green for that exact reason. I would suspect carb cleaner on seals, I have a friend that washed his pintle valve on an idle control unit and it ate the varnish off the wires and ruined it. Carb cleaner is powerful.