Easy-install, two-position tractor hood

A work vehicle comprising:

• a frame provided with a compartment;
• a hood for at least partially covering the compartment and having a closed position, a first opened position, and a second opened position, the hood further having a hood pivot, the hood pivot including a hood pivot major axis about which the hood is pivoted for opening and closing of the hood, the hood pivot further including a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood;
• a biasing device having a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the hood, the biasing device configured and disposed to exert a moment upon the hood about the major axis of the hood pivot substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to a moment imposed about the major axis of the hood pivot by the weight of the hood, the hood being thereby positionable with respect to the frame by a worker irrespective of the weight of the hood;
• and
• a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood, the hood positioner including:
• a cam follower affixed to one of the frame and the hood;
• and
• a cam pivotally mounted to the other of the frame and the hood by a cam pivot disposed adjacent the hood pivot, the cam pivot including a major axis which is parallel to the major axis of the hood pivot, a first end of the cam including a first stop for the cam follower and corresponding to the closed position of the hood, a second end of the cam surface including a second stop for the cam follower and corresponding to the second opened position of the hood and a third stop for the cam follower, located intermediate the first and second stops, and corresponding to the first opened position of the hood;
• and
• a biasing means for maintaining engagement of the cam follower with the cam.

An apparatus for the securing of a hood to a work vehicle, the hood disposable in closed and at least one opened positions with respect to a frame of the work vehicle, the hood coupled to the frame and configured for at least partially covering a compartment of the work vehicle when disposed in a closed position, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one latch, the latch including a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood, the latch configured for the stationary portion to engage the movable portion in a particular and predetermined location with respect to the frame when the hood is disposed in the closed position;
• and
• at least one hinge including a first portion associated with the frame and a second portion associated with the hood, wherein the first portion of the hinge includes a hinge pin which is disposed transversely with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the work vehicle, and the second portion of the hinge includes a hinge plate, the hinge plate having an opening in the form of a slot, the slot disposed at an angle within the plate and extending generally downwardly and forwardly, the slot further open at an end whereby the hinge plate is configured as a hook, the slot further configured to engage the hinge pin so that the hinge pin can traverse at least a portion of the length of the slot, the second portion of the hinge configured to assume an approximate position with respect to the first portion of the hinge, and thereby to the frame, upon engagement of the latch;
• the latch thereby aligning the hood and the second portion of the hinge to the frame when engaged.

An apparatus for positioning of a hood with respect to a frame of a work vehicle, the work vehicle having a compartment, the hood configured and disposed for at least partially covering the compartment and having a closed positions first opened position and at least one second opened position, the apparatus comprising:

• a hood pivot, the hood pivot including a hood pivot major axis about which the hood is pivoted for opening and closing of the hood, the hood pivot further including a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood;
• a biasing device having a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the hood, the biasing device configured and disposed to exert a moment upon the hood about the major axis of the hood pivot substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to a moment imposed about the major axis of the hood pivot by the weight of the hood, the hood being thereby repositionable with respect to the frame by a worker irrespective of the weight of the hood;
• and
• a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood, the hood positioner including:
• a cam follower affixed to one of the frame and the hood, configured and disposed to engage the cam surface;
• and
• a cam pivotally mounted to the other of the frame and the hood by a cam pivot disposed adjacent the hood pivot, the cam pivot including a major axis which is parallel to the major axis of the hood pivot, a first end of the cam including a first stop for a cam follower and corresponding to the closed position of the hood, a second end of the cam surface including a second stop for the cam follower and corresponding to the at least one second opened position of the hood, and a third stop for the cam follower, located intermediate the first and second stops, and corresponding to the first opened position of the hood;
• and
• a biasing means for maintaining engagement of the cam follower with the cam surface.