Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - self-propelled mower: Do drive belts stretch?

The belt is just slipping. Could it have stretched? I see no way to adjust for more tension. Should I look for one a half inch smaller?

yardman 21 inch 560 series

Depending on how old the mower is and how much it is used, the belt certainly could have stretched. I would not put a smaller belt on the mower.
Danny

looking closer.......the parts list says there is a belt tension spring. I see it....and I see the screw that supposedly adjusts the tension. But the screw just keeps the spring attached. It doesn't reall do anything as it's turned. Something is wrong.

If you post back with the model and serial numbers of your mower I can have a look at the drive system you have and better advise you. Generally, belts do not stretch, if it does it will have two ends. What happens is the sides (the V) of the belt wear and sits further in the V-groove of the pulleys giving you the impression that it has stretched. The cords in a belt are wound rather tight and if they stretch they will likely break.

yardman 21 inch 560 series
model 12as569t401
serial 1L201k10072

thanks guys but nevermind


clearly the belt tension arrangement was broken. So I just sorta fixed it with some odds and ends.