Belt tensions are measured as inches of deflection per "X" pounds
And the X pounds are applied using a fish scale in the middle of the longest run .
Professionally they are done with a strain gauge which is basically one pulley pressing the belt down between two others
So if you were measuring the belt it would be 30 lbs/inch
Foot Pounds are a measure of torque and I am guessing that it is the torque on the bolt that should cause the spring to stretch to 5.5"
Spring stretch is always measured eye to eye on wound tension springs .
Spring pressure is also measured in pounds for 1 inch of deflection
So for instance my fork springs on the motorcycle are rated at 90 lbs
In the case of a deck belt it would be 5.5" extended length or 30 ft-lbs on the nut, which ever comes last
Remembering that wear on the pulleys themselves will make the belt run shorter and wear in the deck mounts may make the belt run longer on decks where you apply tension to the drive belt , or shorter where you stretch a spring to break drive to the deck ( Most MTDs where the deck moves ) .
So to cover all bases they give you wo ways to measure belt tension.
I for one ignore all this and tighten belts just to the point that you can make the engine do two full rotations by turning the blades .
Naturally this is glove on test and keys out of the ignition or better still, leads off the plugs .
Even then a engine wound up on full compression can spin backwards OUCH !!!!
I use the same test for drive belt tension .
It seems to do the job OK