I don't know if this will help or not but it is worth a shot.

I had a similar problem with a snapper mower. No matter how hard I tried I could not get past the drive housing. Their was nothing online. What I could find said set the brake and put it in some gear position.

What they did not say was that it is you need a helper. You fold the belt around the pulley and hold it in place while your helper shifts the gear lever. You slide as they shift.

I think if you get someone to work the gear shift while you watch what happens you may find the solution. That is how I figured it out.

Good luck. I know how frustrating something so damn simple (once you know how) can be.

BTW, I think either Snapper or Murry made that model so may look for for help searching those brands and blade size.

 

thanks - will give it a try

 

Thank you Colbyt.. This model has an automatic transmission but by putting speed lever high I managed to clear the chain link drive housing BUT cannot clear the point where the transmission disk intersects with the disk underneath the drive pulley. By pushing the drive disk up I manage to get about 1/8" space - not enough HELP!

 

This is where the second person shifting while you hold and move the belt comes into play. I wasn't trying to get one off, mine was broken and I was trying to get a new one on so you probably need to reverse what I said above.

This was the single most frustrating thing I've dealt with in a long time so I feel your pain.

Just in case you want to drive a different approach. After I used the dethatcher to rip out a few hundred square feet of vinca minor I had to replace the 15 year old rubber drive disc and discovered that it is only held on by 4 short bolts. You don't have to mess with that big nut, It looks a lot more intimidating that it really is. It actually bolts on like an auto wheel over a hub. One caveat, the inner friction pad may fall apart when you take it off. I bought my new one with inner liner on Ebay for about $15 with shipping.