Repairs Wizard 42" loose shifting, belt related?

Hi all, hope to learn a lot here!


I have an older 42" Wizard mower and for a few years the gears are hard to get into most of the time and the whole feel down there is really loose, not tight shifting at all.


The drive belt (very long belt) pops off a few times a year, does this have any effect on the shifting. I is not hard to get back on but I wonder if I replace it will it make getting into gear easier?



Thanks!