Have you checked to make sure that you don't have a deck bearing out? If you have a deck bearing out on the spindle it will cause premature belt failure. Also make sure that the blades will turn free without the belt on. You might have a bent deck catching the blade. Also make sure that the belt is routed around the pulleys correctly. You might have a idler guard wearing on the belt causing it to get hot and break.
dwwilliams, March 2007