They call it power sterring, and it has been available for several years. It is basically a system that disengages the wheel from the drive, so it is easier to steer.

OK, you just bought this tractor and don't really know it's past. Have you raised the steering axle off the ground and tried turning to see if it turns free when unloaded? If you have any steering components that are on the verge of seizing or locking up, you will find it somewhat difficult to turn even unloaded. With the steering axle off the ground you should be able to turn the steering wheel with your little finger. With the steering axle off the ground you should be able to grasp either of the front wheels and turn the steering from lock to lock also. If you can't do either of these, you probably have some part of the steering system trying to seize. Check the king pins, tie rod ends, drag link, and the steering column bushings. It may well be necessary to separate or isolate steering components in order to confirm which component is "binding". Another thing that can (but rarely found) cause "hard" steering is a differential with locked up side gears and spider gears. Have you ever driven a farm tractor equipped with a differential lock? If you answered yes you may recall how the steering goes to blazes if the differential doesn't unlock when you let up on the actuating pedal. That condition will not affect the steering effort on a parked machine so I really doubt it is your problem since you say it is hard to turn when sitting still.

Same here-been driving a Craftsman 2003 with hand controlled hydrostatic drive and had to get a new mower this year 2021, and boy, it was a rude awakening to find no hand controls on anything. I suppose it's whatever you get used to, but I loved zipping around 3+ acres of lawn/hilly-bumpy field with that hand control-made me feel like I had "4 on the floor." ha ha. Does anybody make hand controlled anymore?

The special tool is a puller for the pump pulley, and then the re-installer. The bolts that hold the pump to the bracket are behind the pulley, and the bracket also only has an opening sufficient for the pump shaft to stick through, so no matter what, the pulley has to come off in the car, and then be pressed back on in the car. Yes you can buy the tool, for a cheap version, you'll be spending about $50. For one that will last over many uses, figure about $200. As far as your local small shops not already owning this tool, that directly comes from the very likely possibility that they are underpriced, and therefore have to control expenses to the point that they cannot purchase tools like this. I can only imagine what else they SHOULD be buying in scan tools, DSO's DVOM's, information sources, and above all training. But they have themselves caught in a downward spiral. Seriously, expect them to go out of business fairly soon, and at the same time you can almost be assured that no one will be there to replace them. The reason for that is for someone to be able to get another shop going, they would have to price correctly. Which means not like the two you presently have. Then they will have to struggle through all of the endless times that they will hear "but Henry down the street will do that for half that price". Yea, your in for a rough ride when it comes to keeping your vehicles running.