JD LX178 Drive Pulley Removal

[Rubyukon]

Hello!
New to the forum and looking for some assistance...

I have a 1994 John Deere LX178 that I am working on in an effort to replace a failed water pump. To do so, I need to remove the engine from the frame. I have the PTO clutch removed from the drive shaft but have been unable to remove the drive pulley that's located just above the PTO. I'm told that the pulley is keyed and should 'pull' off; however, I've not been successful via a bearing puller, heat and penetrating oil. There is a hex head assembly above the pulley which appear to be attached to the pulley...? Is the pulley threaded onto the drive shaft... or is it supposed to be pulled off and is likely seized? Pics attached.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated. Thanks!


-Phil

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

A lot of that kind of stuff I would put it all back together but leave the crank bolt a little loose. Go out and use it a bit. It will get loose. I've taken a lot of those off and the drive pulley is just sandwiched between clutch and shoulder on crank. I worked at a big landscape place that had a barn full of zero turns and I sent twelve out every day but Sunday. I had to take those pulleys off a lot because of engine change out. Really the pto maybe changed two. But it wasn't the pto, but since they thought it was, I changed it. I'd clean the old one and put in the box to use next time. Those drive pulleys came off no trouble.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Okay I just looked at your pictures. Put an end wrench on that hex part. You can use a Big doctor crescent on it if you don't have an end wrench. I would hit the wrench with a rubber hammer. In the direction to screw it off, right hand threads. Righty tighty lefty loosie. Engine runs left hand so right hand threads will stay tight. So, those are right hand threads on the crank. Looking up from floor it should go counter clockwise to loosen and come off.

 

[joecdeere]

Pulley only has key, is not threaded on to crank, time, rust, and corrosion are very strong.
you might try tapping up on the key slightly to break it's bond (don't drive it far) same with pulley working it up and back a bit until it breaks free

 

[RandyT]

At this point since the pulley is destroyed may be time to just get the angle grinder with cutoff wheel and start taking that pulley apart in pieces while avoiding damaging the crankshaft.

 

[tomplum]

If you are fortunate enough to have a deep hole saw that is smaller than the hole in the frame, that could at least get it out the hole of the frame in a hurry.

 

[Rubyukon]

Thanks for the suggestions. I hope to work on it a bit today... My local JD distributor confirmed that it's keyed only and not threaded to the drive shaft.

Stay tuned!