Welcome to Tractor Forum! :friends: :cheers: Great to have you aboard! To some degree, you may be comparing apples and oranges with respect to the machines that you are grouping together. The 4520 and TC55a are in the compact tractor class and the 5205 and 461 are ag tractors. An ag tractor is going to be much more heavily built thus the added weight and different selection of transmissions. The compact tractors are more geared towards light to medium duty and can be equipped with a more consumer friendly and reliable hydrostatic drive transmisson as well as a manual shift type.
You need to consider and ask yourself a few questions such as:
1. HP requirement? What size and type equipment will you be operating and under what conditions.
2. Do you have a preference for a particular type transmission? (i.e. do you prefer hydrostatic drive?)
3. Are there features in a particular add on such as a FEL that appeal to you. For example, Deere makes about the most user friendly and easy to remove and install FEL.
4. What amount have you budgeted for more or less in the tractor purchase.
Most importantly is that you need to demo each of these machines, paying special attention to ergonomics (i.e. postion of pedals, controls, etc.) , operater station room, and how the machine performs with respect to you expectations just to name a few. Consider tire options (in your case I would suggest R-1 ag tires but R-4 industrial tires can sometimes be a good compromise between ag tires and turf tires)
What extra attachments? Do you want a FEL? Carefully consider wheel weights vs. filling tires. What type bucket?
I would say the Deere 4720 would be a much closer comparison hp wise with the other machines.
Another VERY VERY important consideration is the dealer. Take a look around the dealership. Does the place look well kept or is it a pig pen. If possible, try to talk with other customers who have purchased from them. Try to get a feel for how you perceive the dealer supports their customers AFTER the purchase. Some dead give aways might be, does the salesman have a thorough working knowledge of the machine he is trying to sell you? Take a look around the service dept.; ask a few questions. Do the answers you get give you the idea that they know what they are doing or not? A dealer who gives poor support after the sale is best to pass up on and buy elsewhere. A good solid and customer oriented dealer that show great concern and consideration AFTER the sale will make your ownership experience a much more pleasant one.
For the tasks you mention, in my opinion, I would be leaning towards the 4520 or 4720 equipped with the eHydro transmission and 400X FEL. All of the machines you mentioned are good machines but you will have to narrow the choices down to what machine and dealer will in your estimation meet your needs and price consideration best. You can go on the Deere website and use the build your own feature and subtract about 20% of the retail price to get you into the range of a fair price to pay. Depending upon the model, dealer and area; you can get between 5% - 20% off retail. Good luck and let us know what you decide to purchase.
We wanna see lots of pictures!
