Abstract: A drive system comprising a first pulley operably connected to drive a second pulley by a continuous stiff belt having a driving face which is wrapped around both of said pulleys, means for causing the belt to slacken relatively to the pulleys, and guide means for bearing upon a face of the slackened belt generally opposed to said driving face, thereby shaping the slackened belt to prevent driving contact with at least one of the pulleys. The drive system can be used to drive a washing or dry cleaning machine at two or three different speeds depending upon which of two motors, connected to respective ones of the pulleys, is running.