In regards to drive belt longevity, I used to go through a belt about every other year. Then the bearings finally seized on my 44C deck & I had to replace them. Needless to say, I was not doing a good job of greasing them. Since then I keep them greased, and everything else, and the belt I have on it now is going on 7 years. The manual says "grease is cheap, use plenty of it". No truer words were ever spoken in a manual!