Howdy,
I just signed up tonight for help with the same problem. Neighbor has an HRM215 that kept throwing the belt. Investigated... wobbly pulley resulting from a
bearing failure. Initially thought it was a bushing, but had just enough of a part number left on the rim to track it down (pics attached). I haven't gotten around to cross referencing our mowers but here is a link to the bearing i purchased
INA SCE810PP Needle Roller Bearing, Steel Cage, Open End, Double Sealed, Inch, 1/2" ID, 11/16" OD, 5/8" Width, 15000rpm Maximum Rotational Speed: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Not trying to hijack your thread but here is my mower info to help figure out if we're dealing with the same thing:
Mower
HRM2153SDA
Spicer Trans (3 speed)
It just has patent #s on the outside and casting #5501 and 5500 respectively on the inside of either half of the housing.
Removing the outside sleeve of the bearing isn't all that big of a deal. I just used a dremel to grind a slit part way down the bearing then you can pancake the sides inward and yank it out. A hacksaw blade will fit inside the hollowed out bearing also. I tried to press it out with no luck so resorted to doing it this way.
Now a word of caution... and my current status. I noticed the pinion shaft had a fair amount of wear on it. When I reinstalled the shaft, there is still some play in it from the wear. The pinion shaft is a 1/2", i put calipers on the worn part but cant remember how many thousandths less it was. When I have the shaft positioned such that a portion with no wear is in contact with the bearing all play is eliminated.
I'm hoping your initial statement about not being able to buy transmission internals isn't true as I am now in search of that half inch pinion shaft...
TLDR; take a close look at the shaft the pinion gear is on, because if its worn, replacing the bearing is only half of the solution.