As an update to this here is what I found after I managed to get the pulley off! the pulley is to the right...the jam nut is on the spindle.
The guy I got this tractor from was a machinist so it explains what I see now. I had to remove the zerk as it would not pass grease at all but surprisingly all the spindles feel good now that they have new grease in them. I should have the needed parts for the idler today when I get home so I am hoping to have this buttoned up and back to mowing in short order.