Not that bad if you have a jack stand and a hydraulic jack. Jack up and brace frame in front of rear wheels to get wheels off ground. There are six bolts holding the transaxle. Two in the front of the transaxle and two on each axle sides. Take the two front ones loose first. Put jack under the axle before removing support bolts. The idler tensioner on mine can be taken loose from the bottom to allow the belt to clear. Make sure all springs and cables disconnected. Take pictures as you disassemble. Then lower the transaxle after removing support bolts.
I had to free up the brake on mine and the wheels where in the way. When I found the wheels froze to the axles the PB Blaster was the trick and slight tapping the axle with the retainer bolt screed partially in. Then started popping the tire as I rolled it and it popped off. The rusty part will probably be near the retainer bolt and be around an inch down the shaft of the axle. Sanded down and regreased. There is several videos on YouTube showing this method. Used a similar method removing a steering wheel on my Massey
No candle or torch needed. Just a tad of patience.