Abstract: An engine hood and a method of making a hood for a tractor or similar vehicle, the hood being of generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an upper top portion and downwardly extending side portions. The hood is hinged adjacent one end for upward pivoting between a closed position in which an associated engine is covered and an open position which provides access to the engine. The hood has an outer skin and inner reinforcing members secured to the inside of the outer skin to form two beam-like structures which extend away from the hinge towards the other end of the hood to stiffen the hood against twisting.

Abstract: An engine hood (10) for a tractor (1) or similar vehicle, the hood being of generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an upper top portion and downwardly extending side portions. The hood is hinged adjacent one end for upward pivoting between a closed position in which the associated engine is covered and an open position which provides access to the engine. The hood has an outer skin (100) and inner reinforcing members secured to the inside of the outer skin to form two beam- like structures (140, 141) which extend away from the hinge towards the other end of the hood to stiffen the hood against twisting. Inner reinforcing members extend between the beam-like structures to further stiffen the hood and the outer skin at the other end of the hood houses lighting units and has an inner reinforcing member extending between the beam-like structures which also supports the lighting units. The invention also provides a method of assembling such a hood.