As many industries that rely on heavy-duty equipment make the transition to low-emission systems, L&M Radiator is adapting its proven MESABI® design to advance thermal control capabilities for electric vehicles operating in extreme environments.
“Designing a chilling system to survive an electric mining vehicle’s operating loads and vibration levels is unprecedented at this scale. L&M is thrilled to set the standard for the industry in this way.” — Nick Takes, R&D Engineer at L&M
As the global mining industry accelerates its shift toward electrification and low-emission powertrains, managing heat generation has become a defining technical challenge. L&M Radiator’s new MESABI® Thermal Management System (MTMS) provides a rugged, high-performance solution specifically for heavy-duty, mobile applications operating in extreme environments.
The MESABI® Thermal Management System combines the company’s decades of experience in heat exchanger design with new expertise in refrigeration and digital controls. The result is an efficient, intelligent system capable of maintaining optimal operating temperatures for battery packs, fuel cells, and hybrid components.
“We’re building on L&M’s signature removable-tube design that’s extremely rugged, and applying that proven durability to the refrigeration cycle, where non-MESABI® systems fail in a mining environment,” said Chris Domogalla, Applications Engineering Manager.
What it Takes to Electrify the Most Rugged Applications on Planet Earth
The industries that rely on MESABI® radiators to function – mining, oil and gas, agriculture, transportation and more – operate in some of the harshest environments on the planet. High vibration, abrasive dust and debris, and extreme temperatures can rapidly degrade conventional cooling systems.
The MTMS addresses these challenges with the same removable-tube MESABI® core design that has defined L&M products for more than six decades. The steel-framed, serviceable cores enable rapid cleaning and field repair without removing the entire unit—an essential advantage for remote mine operations.
“Chilling systems this large are typically found in stationary industrial installations,” said Nick Takes, R&D Engineer at L&M. “Designing one to survive a mining vehicle’s operating loads and vibration levels is unprecedented at this scale. L&M is thrilled to set the standard for the industry in this way.”
L&M’s internal qualification process includes low-voltage and high-voltage electrical checkout, leak detection, vibration analysis, and sensor calibration before each unit leaves production. L&M’s engineering team custom designs the MTMS per the application requirements while continuing to refine both the hardware and software architecture.
The MTMS can also reverse function to heat coolant in sub-freezing conditions, enabling consistent thermal regulation across a wide spectrum of climates. All systems communicate through the J1939 CANbus protocol, enabling real-time data exchange with vehicle controllers. If a fault occurs, diagnostic messages appear directly on the operator interface, similar to a check-engine light in on-road vehicles.
Efficiency Through Intelligent Controls
A defining feature of the MESABI® Thermal Management System is its variable-speed refrigeration control. The compressor and fans automatically adjust their output based on system load and temperature demand. This conserves battery by minimizing parasitic losses.
“We’re running the chiller only as hard as necessary,” said Domogalla. “That means higher operating efficiency and less wasted electrical power. This contributes directly to longer battery life and greater overall vehicle range.”
The MTMS is also designed to accommodate multiple power sources. It can operate from high-voltage DC (typically 700 VDC) or from AC power up to 460 VAC, depending on the application. This flexibility allows L&M to customize systems for a variety of platforms—from underground haul trucks and excavators to drill rigs and support vehicles.
The MTMS integrates four key components of a refrigeration loop: a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. Each installation can be configured as a complete plug-and-play thermal management solution—including chiller, heater, and radiator—or as individual subassemblies such as condensers and evaporators for OEMs developing proprietary system architectures.
Supporting the Path to Zero Emissions
As mining companies pursue carbon-neutral targets between 2030 and 2050, systems like the MTMS are enabling the adoption of electrified equipment fleets. Efficient thermal management ensures optimal battery performance, supports regenerative braking, and reduces overall energy loss across duty cycles.
“Energy that used to be wasted as heat can now be captured and reused through regen-braking,” said Domogalla. “When paired with renewable energy sources for charging—solar, hydro, or wind—the result is a near-zero-emission operation.”
With prototypes already in service and growing OEM interest, the MESABI® Thermal Management System marks a significant step forward in the integration of reliable, energy-efficient thermal control for heavy-duty electric and hybrid mining equipment.
As Takes summarized:
“Our objective is clear—deliver a rugged, intelligent, and efficient system that helps our customers meet the performance and sustainability standards of the next generation of mining.”
L&M Radiator: The MESABI® Difference Meets Electrification
To learn more about the new MTMS, contact the sales representative for your region here.
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