Tractor Size Categories: Compact, Subcompact & Utility Compared

Equipment

Tractor Size Categories: Compact, Subcompact & Utility Compared

by J. Keeler Johnson - June 9, 2025

When shopping for farm equipment, understanding tractor size categories is key to choosing the right machine. Make sure you’re up to date on your tractor lingo! The three main categories—subcompact, compact, and utility tractors—each offer different capabilities based on horsepower, attachments and intended use.

How to Choose Between Three Tractor Size Categories

Which type of tractor will best suit your hobby farming needs depends on many factors. But choosing the right model begins with sorting out the terminology.

Let’s break down these three similar but distinctly different tractor categories. We’ll explore the definitions and advantages of each.

1. What is a utility tractor?

Think of the most stereotypical tractor you can imagine … a powerful machine, with a cab and maybe a front-end loader, cultivating fields and moving compost.

This is the utility tractor. The machine is designed to tackle pretty much any task a farmer can imagine.

With horsepower ranging from approximately 40HP all the way to 100HP and beyond, utility tractors combine power with impressive versatility. A wide variety of attachments and implements can expand the capabilities of a utility tractor, which is where the “utility” descriptor comes from.

Oxford Languages defines the adjective utility as “useful, especially through being able to perform several functions.” That describes a utility tractor in a nutshell.

If you’re seeking speed and efficiency for large-scale farming projects, a utility tractor is the machine you need. The more horsepower you have, the more you can lift/push/tow/power/etc. at once.

An 8-foot snowblower attachment will clear snow twice as fast as a four-foot model, cutting in half the time you spend clearing snow.

2. What Is a Compact Utility Tractor?

A compact utility tractor is exactly what its name suggests—a smaller, more compact utility tractor designed for smaller-scale farming projects.

They generally run between 25HP and 60HP. That means high-end compact utility tractors are essentially decent utility tractors capable of baling hay and tackling other high-power tasks.

The benefits of compact utility tractors are multifold. Their smaller size makes them more maneuverable and also less expensive—a perfect combination for hobby farmers working small falls.

And since they’re smaller, they’re also lighter and kinder on your yard than heavier, less maneuverable utility tractors.

3. What Is a Subcompact Utility Tractor?

A subcompact utility tractor shrinks the versatility of utility and compact utility tractors into an even smaller package—indeed, very small. With horsepower ranging from about 20HP to 25HP, it’s easy to mistake a subcompact utility tractor for a high-quality garden tractor.

But there are a couple of key differences. Whereas garden tractors typically utilize gasoline engines, subcompact utility tractors usually run on diesel. And despite their unimposing size, many subcompact utility tractors bring PTOs, three-point hitches, and even front-end loaders to the equation, ensuring their “utility” claims aren’t overshadowed by their “subcompact” nature.

Of course, you’re not going to use full-sized implements with a subcompact utility tractor, and some tasks requiring higher horsepower (like baling hay) will be out of reach. But for the casual hobby farmer who needs a lightweight, maneuverable tractor for mowing fields and tending a garden, a subcompact utility tractor can be an effective and cost-effective choice.

❓FAQ: Understanding Tractor Size Categories

What are the main tractor size categories?

The three main tractor size categories are subcompact, compact, and utility. Subcompact tractors are under 25 horsepower and ideal for light-duty tasks on small properties. Compact tractors range from 25–60 horsepower and handle a broader range of attachments. Utility tractors, typically 40–100+ horsepower, are suited for heavy-duty work on larger farms.

How do I choose the right tractor size category for my farm?

Choosing the right size depends on your farm’s size, terrain, and workload. For basic mowing and hauling on small plots, a subcompact tractor may be sufficient. Compact tractors offer more versatility for mid-sized farms, while utility tractors are best for acreage over 10 acres or where larger implements are used.

What’s the difference between compact and utility tractors?

Compact tractors are smaller, easier to maneuver, and compatible with many attachments, making them ideal for small to mid-size farms. Utility tractors are larger, have more horsepower, and are better suited for heavy-duty fieldwork like plowing, baling, or pulling heavy loads.

Do tractor size categories affect implement compatibility?

Yes. Each tractor size category supports a different range of attachments and implement sizes. Subcompact tractors use Category 0 or Category 1 three-point hitches, while compact and utility tractors often use Category 1 or 2, allowing for heavier and more complex implements.

Can a subcompact tractor do the same work as a compact or utility tractor?

Not quite. While subcompacts are versatile for mowing, light hauling, and garden work, they lack the horsepower and frame strength needed for heavier tasks like large-scale tilling or field prep. Compact and utility tractors handle those jobs more efficiently.

This article comparing tractor size categories was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, farmer, blogger and videographer with a passion for pruning trees. He lives on a farm in northern Wisconsin, where he cares for more than 100 apple trees and one 40-foot pear tree that should have been pruned long ago.