When belts keep burning on the deck of a garden tractor, it is usually a worn pulley. If it is the deck belt that is burning check the idler pulleys and mandrel pulleys on the deck, also look at the electric clutch pulley. Check for wobble or worn places in the pulley and inside the sheave. If it is the drive belt that is burning check the pulley on the transaxle and the engine shaft pulley for wear and wobble. If the belt is just coming off the pulleys, there is a service kit for a new belt guide. The part number for the belt guide is 156109.
Customers should use the clutch only when first starting the mower, after initial start up the stopping should be done with the forward and reverse lever. When you put the transaxle in neutral it stops the mower and leaves the brake on until you move the lever. Using the clutch/brake will cause belt damage.