Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was recently trying to pull the pulley off the shaft of my Toro 421 snow blower. I removed the two setscrews and sprayed it down with a fair amount of penetrating oil before any prying was done. After no success with prying at it I borrowed a puller (the type with the 3 arms) and was still unable to get it removed. There is still a key in the keyway, do have to remove this first? I am stuck because I was once told not to hit the shaft with a hammer, is that true? Any help here would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.