Pretty sure we couldn't get them out at the shop without removing the engine, which is a 30 minute job. Crossmember in the way as I remember. I've had about a dozen of them over the years. I just pull the motor out, gives me a good reason to give the mower a good cleaning in the area as well. And replace the water pump and hoses. That way the new owner will have a reliable machine free from worry of those parts failing. My mom has the only one I have left, she likes it but it needs power steering. I tried to put an EPS from a 4 wheeler on it but there just isn't enough room to fit the EPS assembly under the dash, at least not without major surgery which I wasn't willing to do. Hers is 2ws, the 4ws models steer a lot easier.
Edit: I think you may have the old style, has a pin in the rear yoke. The yoke is shorter. The newer style has a pinch bolt that clamps the yoke to the transmission splined shaft. That style yoke is longer and cannot be removed without moving the transmission or engine, and moving the engine is a lot easier.