Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): engine pulley, last ditch effort, inch grinder

Question
I have a cub cadet model 1018 that needs a drive belt replacement. I have taken the PTO clutch off to get to the drive pulley. According to instructions, the next step is to lower the pulley just enough to slip the old belt out and the new belt in. The problem is the pulley will not bugde.It's pretty rusty and corroded compared to the other pulleys and I would just as soon replace it --and after trying to get it to move, I think it best. Is there a trick to getting the thing off that went unmentioned, or am I stuck with a problem that shouldn't exist but obviously does. It's difficult to impossible to get any real pressure on it--and I've been leery of trying raw power and really messing something up other than the pulley. Suggestions please and thank you. Nice site and helpful from reading it.

Answer
Those pulleys can really seize to the shaft.  Have you tried pentrating oil such as PB Blaster?

If you can't get a puller on the pulley to remove it the last ditch effort I would recommend is cutting off the pulley.  We use a 4 1/2 inch grinder with a cut-off wheel attached.  Basically we remove pulley material until we can use the grinder to cut a slice down the center of the pulley shaft.  Don't grind too deep or you will damage the crankshaft.  Usually the heat and vibration created by grinding will allow the pulley to slide right off.

An alternative is to loosen the engine mounting bolts and tilt the engine.  This takes a little time but so does cutting off the pulley.  The benefit of removing the engine mounting bolts is you can save the drive pulley.

Let me know if this helps.
Eric