Thanks for the reply. No help. I think I have watched every video ever recorded on a tb30 and none have this specific issue. I am thinking the variable speed pulley may have just ground down over time.
I have a troy bilt tb30. I decided to change all three belts. Upon doing this I noticed the old drive belt that goes to the crank was rubbing the top of the rear end. It has actually wore a groove. After I removed all of the belts I checked all of the pulleys and they were fine. Tight but free...