2N relay battery to starter

What is the thing called to which my negative battery cable connects, and on the other side of it, a cable runs to the starter? I know there wasn't a voltage regulator per se on this model, but none of the pics in the I&T manual look like this thing. It's mounted under the battery on the left side. It looks like some sort of relay, about 1.25-1.5 inches square.

I think it's fried. My battery is fine, but it was crankin' really slow. I kept trying to get 'er started, and smelled burning vinyl. Looked down and the cable from this thingie to the starter was red hot at the connection to this unnamed device - glowing hot. It melted the insulation. The cable is useless - and it needed replacing anyhow. I cannot loosen the rusted, heat-fused nut to remove the piece of the old cable attached to it. plus, i think the thing is shot anyway - everything looks ready to crumble apart. It's a wonder the thing ever started upon close inspection.

But the problem is - what IS this thing? I can't find anything like it in the manual or in any parts catalogue.

Thanks in advance !

Cutout yer BAD BATTERY CABLES and trash everything. Replace with NEW HEAVY DUTY thick as yer thumb one-ought (1/0) battery cables..... ....Dell

Well.. If your OEM thumb/jigglestick interlocked trany mounted starter switch was bypassed... why do you still have your battery wireing going to it? Post some more info. Could you now have a real solenoid style relay?

Here's a pic from the archives. no super clear.. but this is the mechanical switch we are talking about that is activated by the big thumb switch on the tranny cover. If your thumb switch is bypassed and you are using some other method to start the tractor.. we need those details.

Soundguy

Here is the closest pic I could find in the ole collection. dint know if this is any clearer...Tim