Military Hotrod Club - Army mechanics: need your help

okay guys, i feel a little odd asking this but i thought i'd throw it out there an see if theres any 63Bs that come in here. I'm a 63B in a CTC (Cargo Transfer Co.) an i deal with MHE-today we took the batteries out of this 10k Atlas forklift since they were dead an swapped in some new batteries, well when we went to hookup the negative cable the thing sparked and melted the top of the post! My first thought is that we didnt have the batteries in right and we reversed the polarity somehow, nope there in right, and i got to thinking that something is drawing alot of power, (that would explain the dead batteries right?) but what could draw that amount of power to melt the post like that? any insight is appreciated-thanx in advance

Sounds like a dead short somewhere.

Is it the old or new Atlas?

its this one http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/Daredevil_TA/atlas-pic1.jpg

check the battery voltage. does it make any sound when it's hooked up and frying?

Well I am not a 63B but a 52D, so I deal with power all the time...I would chase the main neg back to the starter and to the Alternater..the Alt could still be holding a charge

Its either a dead short or you have them hooked up wrong. I'll put $50 on #2.

I wish it were as simple as hooking them up wrong but its not, they're hooked up right-i double checked by looking at another atlas-im thinking it is a dead short thru the main positive wire rubbing on the frame-thats really all i can think of that would draw that much amperage to melt the post on contact like that. I appreciate eveyones insight-i'll let you guys know what we figure out.