What once was a 6,500-sq.-ft. facility storing fertilizer on a local family farm housed in Bellefonte, Pa., now boasts an immaculate heavy equipment service shop — showcasing four service bays, parts and a dedicated hydraulic hose area — now known as Nittany Tractor & Equipment.

Located directly off of PA-64 S and just moments from PA-26, Nittany Tractor & Equipment now serves the Bellefonte and surrounding areas with many services, including full preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and diagnostics, component repairs and rebuilds, hydraulic hose production, resident technicians, line boring and more. With nearly two decades of experience brought by each of the company's factory-trained technicians, coupled with 24/7 service and the latest technology and software to service any heavy equipment make or model, Nittany Tractor & Equipment fills a much-needed gap within the agricultural and construction industries.

"We founded this business not just to sell equipment or provide services, but to fill real gaps in the local market and deliver value where it's most needed," said co-owner, Lance Bucha. "That includes bringing essential offerings to the region that were previously unavailable, such as line boring, hydraulic hose production and resident technician opportunities. These services are more than just business operations; they're about keeping local industries running smoothly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring that our customers can depend on us when it matters most."

From Concept to Reality

Within a short 10 weeks, owners Samantha White and Lance Bucha conceived, built and launched Nittany Tractor & Equipment. Together, the two share more than 30 years of industry experience and are well-known in the area for their knowledge and expertise.

White, who specializes in customer and employee satisfaction, brings years of human resources experience to the table as she manages the office side of the business, including benefits, internal and external communications as well as employee and customer relations.

"My career has always been rooted in a deep passion for people — ensuring that every team member feels valued, supported and empowered," White said. "From the very beginning, I've believed that when you take care of your employees, they, in turn, take care of your customers. This belief has guided every step of my journey and continues to serve as the foundation for everything we do at Nittany Tractor & Equipment."

White also actively works within the community at a local college by hosting "Nittany Tractor Days," a training and learning opportunity to students and upcoming technicians interested in the heavy equipment and agricultural fields. Nittany Tractor & Equipment also works closely with the school to hire interns, so students can obtain real-life professional experiences and true mentorship.

Meanwhile, Bucha manages the operational side of things, by providing first-class service to the company's customers in every manner — from investing thousands into the best equipment, software and tooling, to making every customer feel valued.

"We have invested and done a lot to take care of our customers," he said. "We want to make sure the customers get a family feeling instead of feeling like a number and make sure they are always up and running. We are not trying to be a big corporation; we want to get back to taking care of customers and treating them correctly."

Bucha and White have received immense support from the surrounding community, which made the startup of this organization, in such a short window of time, possible. As a thank you to the community and promotion of their newly established company, Nittany Tractor & Equipment hosted a grand opening event.

Grand Opening

Nittany Tractor & Equipment hosted a grand opening Oct. 3, 2025, at its facility in Bellefonte, Pa. Bucha and White unveiled their new facility, top-of-the line service trucks, including three Ford 550s and an International service truck, and offered food, drinks and even corn hole to the employees, customers, family and friends that gathered.

White spoke to the success of the event as well as the future of the company.

"As we look to the future, I'm filled with gratitude and pride — not only for what we've accomplished but for the family we've built together at Nittany Tractor & Equipment," she said. "This journey has never been just about business; it's about people, relationships and the shared commitment to excellence that unites us all.

"Working alongside Lance [Bucha] has been one of the greatest privileges of my career," she added. "We balance and complement each other's strengths — his unwavering commitment to doing ‘the right thing' and his passion for ensuring that the customer always comes first continually inspire me. Together, we've built a company culture grounded in respect, honesty and hard work — values that mirror the spirit of our community and the heart of our family."

With family front and center, even the smallest staff member of Nittany Tractor & Equipment, eight-year-old and daughter of White and Bucha, Charlee, attended the grand opening event and looks forward to the future ahead.

"I get to take pictures for Nittany Tractor & Equipment — I'm the marketing helper," she said. "I can't wait until I can work at NTE." CEG

(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2025 Construction Equipment Guide, except where noted. All Rights Reserved.)