A full equalize charge can take up to 16 hours that's why it is called a "weekend" charge. But try that for two or more consecutive weekend and see if that helps. Secondly, all that sulfate you cleaned off the outside is a sign of improper charging, overfilling and loss of acid in the batteries electrolyte. Water should never be filled up to the bottom of the fill whole only just enough to cover the top of the cell plates. I would speculate that your battery is not delivering full voltage to your electrical & electronic devises, an under voltage condition WILL shorten the life of contactors, destroy motors and brushes, burn out control cards, etc. Secondly, what is the voltage & amp/hour rating of your battery (that info maybe stamped in the battery case, on a decal affixed to the battery case or stamped on an inner cell connector near the positive cable connection - if you can't find it you are SOL & the amp rating of your charger - this is should be on a nameplate on the charger case. The battery charger max output should be no more than + or - 5% of the AMP rating of the battery. Too big of a charger will "fry" your battery. Your battery should be properly evaluated by a professional battery supplier - don't try to do this on your own. This evaluation can take 3-5 days & you'll need to have a way to get the battery out of the lift or take the lift to the battery dealer.
You will have to spend some money to see if you battery is on life support - no way around it. And there are no miracle cures to rejuvinate a bad battery - some folks say there is but I say & others with a bit of gray hair say, it is nothing but "snake oil".