On another forum we are having a discussion about how safe it is to use a sledge on the end of the axle to free up the wheel. There has been concern brought forward about damaging the wheel bearing/race. I have used this technique succfully on a JD 720 LP recently and was able to free up the wheel quite easily with a 20 lb plus sledge. One of the tapered sleeves was even broken by a PO making it even harder to remove. But a couple taps it came free. Now I know a wheel on an R is on splines but would not the same tapping on the end of the axle also break the rust bond? Once the rust bond is broken it should be able to be pulled off with a puller assuming the splines are not damaged or heavily rusted. The axle only has to move a 0.001 or so vs the wheel hub to break the bond. That slight movement should not damage a bearing or race. Your comments on this procedure would be appreciated.