Ive made two weight brackets for my tractors. Built on for the 1811 i used to have and one for my 1450 resto-mod. The bracket i made for the 1811 could be used along with the mule drive, doubled as a bumper, and bolted into the stock holes in the frame.
The bracket i made for the 1450 was made out of spare steel i had laying around and a home made lower 3pt hitch bracket that didnt work with my equipment. It bolts on using the lower grille bolt locations with a support brace that hooks under the frame and can be used also with the mule drive attached, more pics and info can be found about this bracket in the IH section with my thread IH 1450 resto. Hope this helps!
As far as it helping i have close to 55lbs on the front including my 3lbs apiece weights and the bracket itself. When i take the weights off i notice the front tires lose their "buldge" and the tractor feels solid going up hills and ditches.