I am having to replace the shift cable on my Honda self propelled lawn mower HRX 217 TDA, and I can not figure out how to get the belt pulley off so i can attached the new cable to the screw under the pulley. It has some sort of slot with a screw in it, which I believe anchors it so it will not pull out.

HI.First remove the grass catcher aby pulling the pins that holds on it.Then place the mower in flat surface.The lower the cutting deck along the surface.Release the loks of the height adjustment arms that holds the deck in place.Since the deck is laying on the ground there's no weight on it.The front deck portion is hanging on a rod.Move the deck forward and lift the rod.The old belt is now slack.Take note of how it fits and then remove the belt.Reset the height adjustment to its highest position.Then lift the deck from the moer to work it while in a soacious space.Put the new belt around the pulley make sure ou have a much larger slack .Some needs to be twist around the pulley depending on the type/brand.Fit the deck back to the mower by putting the front rod first in place.lower the height adjustent lever all the way and lock it all the way and lock the rear deck back onto the arms.Place the belt around the engine pulley.Reset your height adjustment on the deck.Repalce the grass catcher and the plasdtic cover.Thank you for choosing fixya.

Your answer can be found at the link below on page 44. This will walk you through removing the cable and the settings for adjustment after replacement

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/pdf/manuals/31VH7001.pdf