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Recently the deck jack shaft hub bearings blew causing the fins on the transaxle fan pulley to crack and break off. There are a few fins still left.

After the repair of the deck the mower seemed to run okay but intermittently would not move. If I pushed in the clutch and gently moved the fan pulley, then restart the engine, it would move. Possibly a part of fin wedges into pulley? I started to investigate!

I removed the snap ring retainer and pulled off the pulley. I am unable to remove the hub (#36) to get to the fan to remove. Tried PB, WD40, heat gun and slight prying to no avail. Does anyone have a suggestion(s) to remove the hub, possibly without having to remove the transaxle from mower? Thanks so much and look forward to any advice.

Regards,
Ski
PS I also tried a puller from Advance Auto Parts and the hub did not move but caused the puller arms to bend.
Ski

6/23/2020 - update
I was unable to get the hub off so I put everything back together as I needed to use the tractor. All the fins are on except they are a little chewed up.
After I started the engine the mower would not move. I turned off the engine, depressed the clutch and manually rotated the drive fan pulley a little. Restarted and it moved.
On continued use the same thing happens and I repeat the process.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it causing the non movement?
Thanks,
Ski

Either a broken tooth inside the tranny or a lump missing from the belt or burned spot on the belt.

Something to try. Get it all ready to go, let out the clutch and with your toes pull back on the clutch pedal. Sometimes will add tension on the belt and increase bite on the pulleys. With the hydro I can't see what turning the fan a bit would make any difference in that trans. I'm thinking that when the pressure builds in the pump the belt starts slipping?

I look up that hydrostatic transaxle. Is OP aware that the fan isn't even available new as well many of the other parts?