What tool should be used to remove a pulley?

The gear puller is the appropriate tool for removing a pulley because it is specifically designed for this purpose. When a pulley is attached to a shaft, it can be tightly secured, making removal difficult without the right tool. A gear puller provides a mechanism to grip the pulley securely while applying even force to pull it off the shaft without damaging the pulley or the shaft itself. This tool typically has arms that extend around the pulley, with a central screw that can be tightened to extract the pulley smoothly.

Using alternatives like a screwdriver or a hammer might result in damage to the pulley or the components it is attached to, as these tools are not designed to apply the necessary force evenly or to grip the pulley properly. A wrench would be more suited for loosening bolts rather than removing pulleys directly, making it ineffective for the task at hand.