PTO Engages Blades Slow

[LT1045wrh]

CC LT1045, 2008.
After an hour of heavy mowing I bumped the PTO button and shut off the blades. I tried to pull the PTO button back on but the blades just spin at a low speed despite running at full throttle. I let the mower cool down and the next day tried it again. Same result, blades only spin slowly. I hear the PTO clicking to engage and disengage. Maybe it’s just worn out? Any suggestions?

 

[bertsmobile1]

Are the blades spinning slow or does it just sound like that ?
Can you smell burning rubber ?
has the belt jumped off one of the pulleys ?
has the spring fallen off the tensioner ?
does the belt feel tight ?
Without the belt on do the blades spin freely ?

 

[LT1045wrh]

Are the blades spinning slow or does it just sound like that ? I sit on the mower and look down at the spinning mandrel pullies and they are spinning slowly.

Can you smell burning rubber ? No
has the belt jumped off one of the pulleys ? No
has the spring fallen off the tensioner ? No
does the belt feel tight ? Will check today it looks tight no wobbling.
Without the belt on do the blades spin freely ? Will check today.

 

[LT1045wrh]

Checked pto w/o belt and pto spins. Checked belt tension and it was very loose. I shortened one of the idler pulley springs and all works good.
Thank you for your suggestions.