Split engine hood for tractors

An engine hood enclosure for a tractor having a chassis adapted for movement over ground by laterally spaced front and rear ground-engaging wheels;

• an operator's station mounted on said chassis and having an operator's seat from which a sight line is defined from a position at which an operator sits in said operator's seat along a line to a position of engagement between said front wheels and the ground;
• and an engine mounted on said chassis to provide operative power therefor, comprising:
• a primary hood member pivotally mounted relative to said chassis by a hinge mechanism defining a generally horizontal, transverse pivot axis about which said primary hood member is pivotally movable between a closed position in which said engine is inaccessibly covered and an opened position in which said engine is accessible;
• and
• a fixed hood portion separated from said primary hood member along a line of partition substantially coinciding with said sight line, said primary hood member being located above said line of partition and said fixed hood portion being located below said line of partition, said fixed hood portion having opposing lateral sides;
• said fixed hood portion including at least one daily access door movable between a closed position in which said engine is inaccessibly covered and an opened position in which said engine is partially accessible.

A tractor comprising:

• a chassis adapted for movement over ground by laterally spaced front and rear ground-engaging wheels;
• an operator's station mounted on said chassis and having an operator's seat from which a sight line is defined from a position at which an operator sits in said operator's seat along a line to a position of engagement between said front wheels and the ground;
• an engine mounted on said chassis to provide operative power therefor;
• and
• an engine hood defining laterally opposing sides and being mounted relative to said chassis for movement between a closed position in which said engine is inaccessibly covered and an opened position in which said engine is accessible said engine hood including:
• a primary hood member pivotally mounted relative to said chassis by a hinge mechanism defining a generally horizontal, transverse pivot axis about which said primary hood member is pivotally movable between said opened and closed position, said primary hood member defining a straight line of partition angling downwardly to substantially correspond to said line of sight;
• and
• at least one triangularly-shaped daily access door located below said line of partition and being movable about a hinge axis between a closed position in which preselected components of said engine are inaccessibly covered and an opened position in which said engine components are accessible, said hinge axis being fixed relative to said chassis, one side of said at least one daily access door being aligned with said line of partition.