Yeah, forget the belts. You have bigger problems. It is as I assumed.
Take the snow head off from the unit. Remove the impeller drive pulley (sometimes this requires a gear puller, hopefully not). Remove the gearbox and rakes fron the housing. Remove the rakes from the gearbox. Remove all the hardware that holds tha castings together. You'll need to pry the castings apart withpout damaging them, so be careful. Use something like a utility knife to get it started, then use a screwdriver and evenly pry all the way around the seem. Be careful when sliding any of the castings or seals on the shafts. You may be able to salvage the seals, but sliding them over sharp burrs created by cross holes could damage them. You only what to take this apart once.
Check the groove pin that affixes the gear to the rake shaft. Hopefully this is sheared. If not, you'll need to replace whatever is damaged. If the gear is shot and the worm shaft is in good shape, you may be able to replace the gear only. Your unit isn't that old. Normally it is recommended the worm shaft and gear get replaced in sets.
Let me know how it goes. I don't see the groove pin in the parts manual (typo). I'll let you know what parts you need.
PK
HI Snowmann - I just went through the same ordeal as this OP, same model, same problem.
I too was also hoping the problem was a sheared groove pin but wasn't so lucky. The rake shaft gear is stripped but the worm gear doesn't have a scratch on it. 10HP engine with a bronze gear...hmmm.... I noticed you mentioned you may be able to source out the shaft gear itself?
They are looking for $170 for the (poorly designed) original replacment assembly and $250 for a mini-cast gear box that is out for this model. I would just like to replace the gear itself at this point since I have it all apart and hopefully have it last me another 10 years.
Thanks for any help.
Will