Just to clarify-wheel weights will not increase the load on the rear axle bearings because the weight is on the wheels and not the tractor frame.
A few years ago I had started doing calculations to figure out how much weight could be added to the rear without destroying the bearings; I can't remember what I did with those calculations, but what I was close to arriving at was that more than ~250# or so on the frame may drastically shorten the life of the bearings. You do NOT want to have those bearings wear out, because they will take the axles with them. And on the higher hp tractors, too much weight on either the wheels, frame, or both may make you liable to twist off an axle. A little bit of wheel slippage can save your drivetrain from damage.
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