Ok, here it is- I got my meter out and rang out the battery cables. I looked at the harness as it went under the cowling against the frame, and while some of the electrical tape was worn so I could see the wires going to the head lights, is was just the electrical tape that showed any real wear. The battery before I started this was at 12.52 volts, and the tractor had been sitting since Sunday. I pulled the starter, got a small screwdriver and some 3 in 1 oil. I put a couple drops on the front of the shaft, advanced the gear with the screw driver, and put a couple drops on the back side of the shaft. I worked the gear back and forth with the screw driver. Reassembled. The tractor fired up first try. I got out my meter again and measured 13.92 volts while running. I shut off and re started the tractor 5 times. If the problem returns in a short amount of time, I'll say this wasn't the solution. but....until then. Thank you all for your help and kind advice helping me keep my tractor running.
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