electrical nightmare

[Diamondpilot]

I put a entire new wiring harness in a International Harvester for a guy. It was not to bad of a job. Just mark things as you go and take the time to keep the wires protected from sharp corners.

Chris

 

[lakespirit]

I am wondering what would cause the negative battery termial to get so hot that it is melting the plastic on the battery at the terminal

 

[Bob Rooks]

I am wondering what would cause the negative battery termial to get so hot that it is melting the plastic on the battery at the terminal

High resistance. The only thing that should draw that much current is the starter motor.

 

[Coyote machine]

I am wondering what would cause the negative battery termial to get so hot that it is melting the plastic on the battery at the terminal

Now you're starting to troubleshoot the actual 'killing batteries' issue. Be careful around an electrical system that is doing that type of malfunction. The heat to melt the battery housing is enough to make the battery explode in your face too. Wear gloves and goggles/protective eyewear until this problem is solved.
Your ground cable maybe shot, or you have a terrible ground connection at the frame of your tractor. Try a known heavy duty pair of jumper cables and use only the negative black cable. Go from clean battery post to good solid clean frame ground and see if the condition of heated post/melting plastic changes for the better. If it does, replace the entire negative cable with a good quality new cable and make sure the ground and post connections are tight AND clean.
While you're at it connect your meter across the battery posts on 12 volt DC scale, and give us readings of cranking the engine voltage, engine running voltage and voltage with lights on- if any are working.
Post back results.