FWIW, this is a paste of a tip from a pullers web site about removing the gears.
Note the part about plugging the pin holes....
The balance gears in a Kohler engine can be removed without removing the crankshaft. To do this, first, remove the oil pan, and use high quality, heavy duty snap ring pliers with 90° tips to remove the [heavy gauge] snap rings that retain the balance gears, and rotate the crankshaft so the counterweight will clear the balance gears. However, the counterweights on the K301 crankshaft are machined off, allowing room to remove the balance gears. But on the K321, K341 and K361 engines, one of the counterweights may be in the way. If it is, try driving the pins into the crankcase from outside the PTO end of the block, and use clear RTV silicone adhesive sealant to securely plug the holes in the block. Because the snap rings that retain the balance gears are actually thicker than ordinary ones, which makes them harder to expand. A flat screwdriver may need to be wedged under each snap ring to help pry them off the stub shafts. (I've been there and done this many times. And it's difficult each time.) Be sure to remove the spacers (if equipped) and shims from the shafts, too. By the way - the shims from removal of the balance gears can be used as camshaft shims to set the cam-to-block clearance on the K241-K361 engines.
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