So, I replaced the battery (and battery cable clamps so they'd be nice and tight) and replaced the alternator, and what resulted was different starting issues. I'll try to be concise:
About a week ago, while snowblowing, the tractor died. I was able to restart it, but the PTO wouldn't work. I checked the PTO 15a fuse in the fuse box, and it had blown. Swapped it out and good to go again. Then the next time I tried to use it, went to start it, and it sounded like the starter was just spinning and obviously not engaging. Took the starter out, bench tested it and same thing, spun fine but wouldn't move up the shaft. So I took it apart, cleaned the gears and whatnot, and regreased with dry grease. Eventually enough of that and I got the starter to spin and move up on the bench, so reinstalled it, and was able to get the tractor going. Just in time for our last big snow storm.
Well, while out snowblowing, I had the same previous issue happen twice. Suddenly stopped working while snowblowing, checked the 15a fuse, replaced again. Got through the rest of snow removal but now trying to start it again I was getting the same starter spinning noise at first. Charged the battery up good (12.89v at the terminals) and nothing. Tried jumping it with a screwdriver at the starter terminals, and it would just spin spin spin. After a couple attempts of that, no more starter spinning at all, and just a buzzing noise at the dash and a buzzing noise from a relay mounted up near the horn above the battery. Now I get NO POWER at all, no lights, no glow plugs, nothing. Completely dead.
This morning I took the ground off the frame, cleaned it up with an angle grinder and tightened it down, didn't help. Still no power. Fuses are not blown, everything seems good. Using a test light, got it to go on at the battery posts, but when I try it on the starter, no light.
Any advice???? I'm at a loss. The Mahindra manual I have is virtually useless..