Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Engine removal, drive pulley, replacement belts

Question

Tiller pulleys Bradford tiller model 53493800. B&S engine model 130292. Type 0159.

I'd like to remove the engine from my tiller so I can put it up on a bench to work on it. I've enclosed a photo.

The original instructions include information on the engine and only one shaft is shown. I also have an illustrated parts list for the engine and this also shows only one shaft.

If you look at the photo, both pulleys pointed out with arrows seem to be connected to separate shafts. One is the drive pulley, the other is the reverse pulley. I slid a piece of paper between the engine and the pulley housing, from each side and the paper came in contact with something at the position of each pulley. Seems to be two shafts coming from the engine. Is this possible? If so, why do all the illustrations show only one shaft coming from the engine?

This would really be no problem if I could get the V-belts off the pulleys, but even with the tension released the belts are fairly tight.

Is there some easy way to remove the belts? All the owners manual says is to loosen the belt guides and a spring, then remove the belts and replace them. It doesn't explain how to remove these tight belts.

I realize this isn't about engine repair, but I'm sure you have had to remove a few engines so hope you can help.

Thanks.

Answer
The SECOND shaft you are indicating is the camshaft.  It is longer so that it allows for the reverse idler pulley as you have found.   I have removed many of these engine from equipment and often times i have to remove one of the pulleys first or simply cut the vbelts with a knife.  

Be sure you can get replacement belts first.

Hope this helps