GSI 1108 Grain Dryer

A compact portable grain dryer for smaller on-farm drying needs

The GSI 1108 Grain Dryer is the smallest model in the GSI 1100 Series, built for farms that want a practical portable drying solution without moving into a larger multi-module system. GSI positions the 1100 Series as a single-module, single fan and heater dryer with a single plenum, designed for small to medium-sized farms and for operations using bins of 50,000 bushels or less with adequate bin cooling air.  

For Canadian growers, the 1108 can make sense as an entry-level high-speed dryer where harvest timing, weather pressure, and grain condition all play a role in profitability. GSI also describes the 1100 Series as a strong fit for farms looking for a first high-speed dryer.  

Where the GSI 1108 fits in the 1100 Series

Within the 1100 Series lineup, the 1108 is the most compact option. The full series covers models from 1108 through 1126, with the 1108 delivering the smallest holding capacity and the lowest throughput in the family. That makes it a logical starting point for buyers who need portable drying but do not require the larger capacities offered by the bigger 1100 Series models.  

GSI notes that the 1100 Series is not expandable, which is important for buyers comparing long-term scaling options. The 1108 is best viewed as a straightforward, fixed-size dryer rather than a platform intended for later modular expansion.  

GSI 1108 drying performance

According to GSI’s published specifications for the 1100 Series, the GSI 1108 Grain Dryer delivers:

Full Heat capacity

At 20% to 15%, the 1108 is rated at 420 BPH.

At 25% to 15%, it is rated at 260 BPH.

At 30% to 15%, it is rated at 190 BPH.  

Dry and Cool staged batch capacity

At 20% to 15% staged batch, the 1108 is rated at 220 BPH.

At 25% to 15% staged batch, it is rated at 170 BPH.  

These numbers place the 1108 at the entry point of the 1100 Series, which is exactly where some farms want it. Not every operation needs the largest portable dryer available. In many cases, matching dryer size properly to acreage, harvest pace, labour, and storage airflow is more important than simply choosing the highest-capacity model.

Capacity, construction, and size

The GSI 1108 uses 1 module and 1 stage construction. Its grain column is listed at 14 inches x 8 feet long. GSI rates total holding capacity at 219 bushels, with 190 bushels in grain column holding capacity.  

Transport and installed dimensions are also compact relative to larger models in the same family:

Key dimensions

Transport length: 17’2”

Transport width: 8’

Transport height: 13’5”

Installed length: 15’2”

Installed width: 8’

Installed height: 14’6”  

Approximate transport weight

The approximate transport weight is 5,200 lb.  

This smaller footprint can be attractive for farms where yard space, setup simplicity, and transport practicality matter just as much as drying output.

Augers, unloading, and grain handling

For loading, the GSI 1108 uses an 8-inch flight top auger with 2 HP, with listed auger capacity of 3,800 BPH. For unloading, it uses an 8-inch flight / 10-inch tube bottom auger with 2.5 HP. The meter roll drive is a VFD, 1 HP, and maximum capacity is listed at 1,125 BPH.  

These figures help show that the 1108 is not just about dryer size, but about how the full grain-handling package works together in a smaller portable unit.

Heater, fan, and electrical details

GSI lists the heater on the 1108 at 4.5 million BTU/hr. Fan specifications are shown as:

Fan options

Single phase: 10–16 HP, 36-inch fan

Three phase: 10–16 HP, 36-inch fan  

Electrical requirements

Single phase, 230 V: 101/122 amps minimum/maximum

Three phase, 208 V: 57/95 amps

Three phase, 230 V: 53/83 amps

Three phase, 460 V: 29/41 amps  

For Canadian buyers, these details matter during planning because electrical service can quickly affect installation cost, site suitability, and the overall economics of an on-farm dryer setup.

Drying style and best-use scenarios

GSI describes the 1100 Series primarily as an all-heat corn drying system, but also says it can be used in Continuous Batch Dry & Cool operation either full-time or for specific applications, including creating a dry cone in a flat-bottom wet bin or handling occasional soybean or wheat drying where cooled grain is needed.  

That means the GSI 1108 is not only about corn in theory. Its best fit still depends on crop mix, target moisture removal, storage setup, and harvest strategy, but its flexibility gives smaller farms more options than a one-dimensional spec sheet might suggest.

What buyers often like about the GSI 1108

From an Aglist perspective, the appeal of the GSI 1108 Grain Dryer is usually tied to simplicity and fit. It is the kind of machine buyers look at when they want to start drying grain on the farm without stepping immediately into a larger and more expensive portable dryer.

Common reasons this model may stand out include a more manageable size, lower holding capacity that better matches smaller operations, and a simpler fixed configuration inside the 1100 Series platform. Those points are especially relevant for growers who want a first dryer that feels realistic to own, power, and manage.

Real-world buying questions

Is the GSI 1108 too small for my farm?

That depends on acreage, harvest speed, crop moisture, and storage airflow. The 1108 is the smallest model in the series, so it is better suited to farms that do not need the output of larger portable dryers.  

Is the GSI 1108 a good beginner dryer?

GSI presents the 1100 Series as a strong choice for a first high-speed dryer, which supports the idea that the 1108 can be a practical entry point for the right farm setup.  

Can it be used beyond all-heat corn drying?

Yes, GSI says the 1100 Series can also be used in Dry & Cool batch operation in certain situations, including occasional soybean or wheat drying where cooled grain output is needed.  

Final thoughts

The GSI 1108 Grain Dryer is a compact portable dryer aimed at growers who want a practical, smaller-capacity on-farm drying solution. It brings the core 1100 Series concept into its simplest size: single module, single fan, single heater, fixed configuration, with published performance up to 420 BPH at 20% to 15% in Full Heat and 219 bushels of total holding capacity.  

For Aglist, this model fits well as a page focused on specs, buyer comparisons, owner impressions, and realistic matching for smaller Canadian grain operations.

GSI 1108 Reviews & Ratings