If you want to blur the lines even further.
Kubota calls their BX series tractors a sub-compact. I have not heard my B7100 referred to as anything but a compact tractor. A current model BX series is as heavy if not heavier, has higher 3 pt lift capabilities, more HP. Would you class a B7100 as a compact or sub-compact?
Getting back to what makes a garden tractor versus a lawn tractor is the ability to hook up in some fashion a ground engaging rear implement.
Did you see my last post on Tractor sizes over the years..... My B8200 is a scut/cut/utility all in one! Hardly... but based on the printed material it fits all 3. Here is my other post:
To put things another way: (taken from the Guide to Tractor Sizes -
https://www.centralarkansasmahindra.com/blog/guide-to-tractor-sizes--29131)
Sub-Compact Tractors
Tractors are generally categorized by their engine horsepower, and sub-compact tractors are those that clock in under 25 horsepower. They tend to weigh between 500 and 1,200 lbs and measure less than 48” wide. The rear wheels of a sub-compact tractor are typically less than 30 inches in diameter.
Light-duty sub-compact tractors are ideal for making quick work of small jobs around the farm. They have the most agility of any tractor, allowing them to easily maneuver through narrow spaces. The sub-compact tractor offers low-cost maintenance on top of its affordable purchase price, making these the cheapest tractors out there.
Of course, sub-compact tractors have some natural drawbacks. They have the lowest hauling capacity of any tractor, and the most limited range of attachments. There are some implements available for sub-compact tractors, such as front-end loaders and backhoe attachments, but you’re not going to have anywhere near as many options as with larger tractors.
Compact Tractors
Tractors in this category have anywhere from 25 to 60 horsepower. They can weigh between 1,500 to 6,000 lbs, and may feature closed or open cabs. The width of a compact tractor ranges between 42 to 54 inches, while the rear wheel diameter can measure up to 36 inches.
Compact tractors are perhaps the most versatile category of tractor, offering the perfect balance of strength and agility. They offer similar maneuverability to sub-compact tractors, while their higher horsepower allows them to handle more heavy-duty tasks, like tilling and grading. They’re also compatible with a much wider range of attachments. Larger tractors in this category often come equipped with a turbocharger to boost engine performance for even greater versatility.
Utility Tractors
Tractors with 60 to 140 horsepower are known as utility tractors. These hefty pieces of equipment weigh over 3,000 lbs and measure 54 to 72 inches wide. The rear wheel of a utility tractor measures 36 to 60 inches in diameter.
So based on this set of guidelines my B8200 is all three.....which clearly it isn't. 19 hp / 1565 lbs / 55.3" wide / 38" tires. Or is it an Under powered over built beast?
