Evaluation of different radiator layout strategies on the thermal performance of the wheel loader cooling system

To address issues in wheel loader cooling systems such as mutual interference between radiators, poor airflow, and suboptimal cooling performance, this study proposes and implements an improved dual-loop cooling system (Strategy IV), comprising a high-temperature radiator, a low-temperature radiator, and a hydraulic oil cooler. To evaluate the advantages of this strategy, it was compared with three commonly used cooling systems (Strategies I, II, and III) in terms of heat transfer characteristics in the pressure, velocity, and temperature fields, thereby revealing the distribution patterns of temperature, pressure, and airflow within the loader's engine compartment. Additionally, the accuracy of the simulations was validated through V-type digging operation tests and outlet airflow measurements on a wheel loader equipped with Strategy IV. The results indicate that under Strategy IV, the engine compartment exhibits the most uniform pressure and temperature distributions, with the highest uniformity factors; the airflow velocity increases after passing through the radiators, with velocity field characteristics at a moderate level. Furthermore, this strategy achieves the highest total cooling power of 182.16 kW. By optimizing module arrangement and circulation paths, the dual-loop cooling strategy demonstrates superior performance in pressure uniformity, airflow organization, and overall cooling efficiency, highlighting that module separation and dual-loop design are effective approaches for enhancing the thermal management of high-power wheel loaders.