Yes, if that's all one needs to do then a riding mower or zero-turn is clearly the more effective option.
On a similar note, I just bought a 1985 Mercedes 300D turbo diesel. From purely a financial and practical standpoint, the car is a senseless buy. I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu and it will literally run circles around the Benz in performance, handling, economy, and I'm almost willing to bet longevity as time may tell. But, like the tractors, there are uniquenesses to it that I find appealing (apparently I must like to wrench on things too because it seems like that's all I do with this stuff). A lot of factors come into play when making a purchase. Certainly economy, practicality, and return on investment are sensible issues to consider. But there are the "because I want to", "because I can", and nostalgia factors that are understandable too.
Sorry for the tangent, good luck with your decision.