Visit the restored Leiben Castle (Schloss Leiben) to view the rotating tractor collection of the Historic Agricultural Technology Organization of Austria (HLTO).
Some antique tractor and engine clubs meet in a variety of venues, including restaurants, private homes, museums and purpose-built facilities. Other such organizations meet only online. However, few have as opulent quarters as the Historic Agricultural Technology Organization of Austria (HLTO), whose members gather in a 12th century castle perched on a cliff overlooking the Danube River.
Leiben Castle (Schloss Leiben) was constructed in about 1113 by the Knight of Leiben, whose family occupied the castle until 1332. In 1617, the castle was sold to Hans Christian Geyer von Ostlerburg, who had the building restored to its present form. In 1796, the castle became the property of the imperial royal family, supported with funding by Emperor Franz I. With collapse of the monarchy, management of the castle was turned over to the Administrative Disability Fund in 1919. From 1945 on, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Austrian Federal Forests.
The castle deteriorated over the years and extensive repair was needed to make it habitable. In the 1980s, it was purchased by the city of Leiben. Since then, the city has poured a great deal of time, effort and money into restoration of the building and it now is used as a museum, a meeting place and a place for local events. Visitors are awed by 17th century ceilings that feature allegorical, mythological and religious paintings by an unknown artist.
HLTO finds a home in Leiben Castle
A club for collectors of antique tractors had existed in Vienna since 1982. However, the restoration of Leiben Castle presented new and exciting possibilities. The HLTO was organized in 1991. Its first president was Karl Krischka, then chief executive officer of John Deere Austria. HLTO members promoted the idea of establishing an agricultural engineering museum in the castle and worked with Leiben city officials to establish the Austrian Agriculture Museum Schloss Leiben in 2004. The present facility is the result of dedicated efforts by club members and representatives of the city.
Museum exhibits are located throughout the castle’s four levels. Tractors and engines are housed on the ground level. Martin Trausnitz, HLTO president and one of the club’s staunchest supporters, has a large collection of demonstration models representing the beginning of agriculture mechanization on the second level. The third level contains an exhibition featuring the Marshall Plan, and United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) support. E. Sykora’s collection of 1,000 scales from 70 countries is housed on the fourth level.
About one-third of the exhibits are owned by the museum. Another third belongs to club members and their supporters; remaining items are on loan from Czechoslovakian, German and Hungarian museums. A cooperative loan agreement with the German Agriculture Museum Blankenheim in 2021 has further increased the number of items on exhibit.
Leiben Castle is so large that it can easily host multiple events and exhibits at the same time. Although the bulk of the castle is unheated, two large rooms with kitchen facilities are heated and available for weddings and other events year ’round. Major events include Museum Day and a Christmas market. The primary tractor and automobile show of the year is on the Monday after Easter. Food, drink and a promotional brochure are included with admission.
HLTO has approximately 100 members and an additional 50 supporters who maintain the museum. Work days are held on Wednesdays.
For more information, visit the club’s website at Historical Agricultural Engineering Austria.
Glenn Thompson, professor emeritus from the Wisconsin University System, was born and raised on a farm in South Dakota. In addition to other pursuits at his home in Texas, Glenn rides herd over “an eclectic collection of dead and dying riding mowers and compact tractors.” Email him at uffda@beecreek.net.
Originally published as “A Castle for Cast Iron” in the August 2023 issue of Farm Collector magazine.
