[jw11432]

This is a 2135 as best as I can tell (bought used, was repainted so no markings anywhere). I've recently run into the problem where my mower want cutting grass and producing a lot of smoke, which turned out to be a stuck deck belt. I replaced it, and despite it seeming like a good fit, it has loosened up considerably at one mow and even then would not cut unless I went very slow, it seems the grass was preventing it from cutting. Manuals indicate it should be using a 59" belt, but a 57" fit much better. Initially tried a 56", per the inspection of old belt by store employee (no numbers left on it, based on sizing and suspected stretching amount).

I've managed to figure out that the deck belt and PTO belt must be the perfect size, or else one will be too loose. Do I actually need a 56" belt, and is there a common practice of pre stretching these a bit to help counter this problem? Otherwise, any ideas as to what I might inspect? Tensioner and spring seem fine, but I have no real basis of comparison either. Appreciate all feedback!