A farm tractor is used for pulling or pushing agricultural machinery or trailers, for plowing, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, and similar tasks.

The classic farm tractor is a simple open vehicle with two very large driving wheels. The engine is in front of the driver with two steerable wheels below the engine compartment. This basic design has remained unchanged for a number of years, but enclosed cabs are fitted on almost all modern models, for reasons of operator safety and comfort. Modern farm tractors are operated by foot-pedals serving as clutch, brakes, foot throttle and differential lock (diff lock) to prevent wheel slip.

Garden Tractors (also called Mini Tractors) are small, light and simple tractors designed for use in the domestic garden. Garden Tractors are usually designed primarily for cutting grass, being fitted with horizontal rotary cutting decks.

The distinction between a garden tractor and a ride-on lawnmower is often hard to make. The primary difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor are the frame weight, the rear wheels (garden tractors almost always have multiple mounting bolts, while most lawn tractors have a single bolt or clip on the hub), and the ability to use ground engaging equipment such as plows or disk-harrows. Garden Tractors are generally more sturdily built, with stronger frames, axles and transmissions. Whereas riding lawn mower refers more to mid or rear engined machines. Front-engined tractor layout machines designed primarily for cutting grass and light towing are called lawn tractors. Heavy duty lawn tractors, often shaft driven, are garden tractors.

Garden Tractors usually are capable of mounting other implements such as harrows, cultivators, rotavators, sweepers, rollers and dozer-blades. Like ride-on mowers, garden tractors generally have a horizontally-mounted engine with a belt-drive to a transaxle-type transmission (usually of 4- or 5-speeds, although some may also have two-speed reduction gearboxes or hydraulic gearboxes). Some garden tractors have vertically-mounted engines with belt-drive, while some have automotive-type clutch and gearbox. Typically these engines are 1- or 2-cylinder petrol (gasoline). Diesel engine models are also available, especially in Europe.