Hi - I have a 6.75 HP Commercial DR TRIMMER/MOWER (push model, not self-propelled). One of the wheel bearings caught rust over during the winter. The wheel was moving very rough. I took the wheel off and the bearing was frozen to the axle. I ended up ordering a new axle and a pair of wheels. However, I can't figure out a way to get the axle off.

You can see the axle in Figure 25 on Page 35 of the owners manual - http://drpower.com/CHPContent/content/support/manuals/223641_TRM_TR2_Models_SO_061221.pdf?cm_sp=OwnerSupportHome-_-TRM-_-manual-8_25HP-comm-223641. The axle is the strange bell shaped thing. If you orient the trimmer the way it's shown in Figure 25, the bearing on the bottom wheel is stuck to the axle. I need to slide the axle out the stuck bearing side.

I called DR Tech Support. They say the axle should slide out easily. Not so. Even if I didn't have a bearing stuck to the axle, I don't see a way to slide off the axle without removing the main pulley on the engine shaft. The pulley is in the way. In order to remove the pulley, I need to find out a way to hold the shaft steady while I work on the bolt holding the pulley in place. There is no way to grip the shaft. As I turn the bolt, the shaft turns.

I am out of ideas. I could saw the axle, but I'd have a similar problem inserting the new axle. I really need to figure out the right way to remove and install the axle.

If anyone on this forum owns this trimmer and has experience replacing the axle, please help. Thanks.