Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): cant shift from fwd. to reverse, mongomery ward, speed transaxle

Question
I have an older mongomery ward rider (tmo-33931a-l098h) It is a single speed transaxle and I cant change from foward to reverse without shuting the engine off. I noticed the drive belt relaxes when the engine is off. The belts stop when I push the cluch in and apply the brakes. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer
Hi Howard
Flip he mower over(drain the gas first) and look closely at your belt path.  You may have a bent or missing guide pin(little rods that force your belt to "relax" along a certain path and disengage from the driver pulley) or...the tensioner pulleys could be out of adjustment or have a broken/missing spring, or.......the belt could be incorrectly routed (its possible-believe me) heh
lemme know what you find!