Just an update on the "Loud metallic pop". This is the abuser (owner) writing now. Saturday Shaggy came over and I thought we would get away with pulling a small trailer into my backyard. While driving through the previous tracks, it was fine, with just a little popping. As soon as I hit deep snow, it ground, I stopped. I tried reverse, it ground again. I parked it for the night and Shaggy pulled me with his HO back into the garage Sunday. Even with my machine not running and in neutral, it made that popping noise as I was pulled backwards into the garage. So I think a bad belt is out of the picture, along with the clutch.
P.S. Earlier on the Saturday it broke, I was pulling one of my cars across the driveway in reverse, on tar, smoking all four tires. My little nephew thought it was cool. Then, I plowed my driveway afterwards, and noticed no noises or problems. I unhooked the plow, and went for that fateful ride. My buddy Jim crossed the log in front of me, and I went over it exactly the way he did, but he's still riding his!!!Signed, "Mopar" Mitch Z.