Hi Norm,
My PT 24 can be a bit snappy on the starter at times, usually only when flooded. Its not a real problem but we are a bit wary.
I'm sure the belt is not slipping. Its tensioned way up to at least to the Victa specs, judged by measuring the deflection at the midpoint. I no longer have the original tensioning system. Previous owner used big screwdrivers.
Sometimes I wonder if overtensioning might be an issue. If the belt is too tight perhaps it could make the mower hard to pull over, so you might not be able to get enough forward motion to keep things turning in the right direction. Its only got to stop just before TDC and then fall back to cause that problem. We compensate by giving it a decent pull.
I have been using automotive fan belts (11A section}. That's what was there but it was too long so I got a shorter one. The auto belts seem to fit well and are cheap. Genuine Victa belts are so expensive that they are not really an economic proposition ie more expensive than the whole mower. So are the blade discs.The automotive belts seem to last all right but could be part of a kick back problem I suppose.
All the best
Jeff
