There is no possible way that I could replace my commercial grade ztr for what I paid for it 10 years ago. The price has more than doubled. With only 300 hundred hours, it only makes financial sense to make repairs as needed.
Why would you need to remove the pulley to replace the belt? If you push in the brake and then lock down your parking brake, there should be enough slack in the belt for it to come off. I've been there and done that.