GSI 1118 Grain Dryer

A larger single-module dryer for farms that need more harvest capacity

The GSI 1118 Grain Dryer is part of the GSI 1100 Series, a portable dryer lineup built around a single-module, single fan and heater, single-plenum design. GSI positions this family for small- to medium-sized farms, especially operations using bins of 50,000 bushels or less with adequate cooling air, and describes the 1100 Series as a strong fit for a first high-speed dryer.  

For Aglist users, the 1118 stands out because it pushes farther into the upper half of the 1100 Series without moving into a larger multi-module platform. That makes it appealing for farms that want more drying room during harvest while still keeping the simpler fixed-layout concept of this series. GSI also notes that the 1100 Series is not expandable, so the 1118 should be viewed as a fixed-size portable dryer rather than a system built for later modular growth.  

Where the GSI 1118 fits in the 1100 Series

The official 1100 Series lineup includes 1108, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, 1122, and 1126. Across the family, GSI lists roughly 420 to 1,160 BPH all-heat drying at 5-point removal, which places the 1118 above the smaller entry models and closer to the larger end of the series.  

That positioning matters for farms trying to balance output with simplicity. The 1118 is the kind of model buyers often consider when they want a stronger on-farm drying buffer, but still want a dryer that is easier to size, easier to place, and less complex than moving into a larger class of equipment. This is one of the advantages of the 1100 Series on a comparison site like Aglist: the lineup steps up in a way that is easy for buyers to understand.  

GSI 1118 drying performance

According to GSI’s published portable dryer specifications, the GSI 1118 Grain Dryer is rated at 800 BPH in Full Heat 20% to 15%, 490 BPH in Full Heat 25% to 15%, and 360 BPH in Full Heat 30% to 15%. In Dry and Cool staged batch, it is rated at 420 BPH at 20% to 15% and 320 BPH at 25% to 15%.  

These numbers show why the 1118 can be attractive for farms that feel limited by smaller portable dryers. When harvest moisture, trucking flow, and labour timing all come together, extra capacity can help reduce bottlenecks and make the whole drying setup feel less restrictive. That does not automatically make the 1118 the best choice for every farm, but it gives it a clear place in the lineup.  

Capacity, construction, and size

GSI lists the 1118 as a 1 module, 1 stage dryer. In the specification chart, total holding capacity is shown at 490 bushels, with 423 bushels of grain column holding capacity. The same GSI specification source shows the grain column size for the 1118 as 14 inches x 18 feet long.  

The dimension table lists the 1118 with a transport length of 27’2”, transport width of 8’, transport height of 13’5”, installed length of 25’2”, installed width of 8’, and installed height of 14’6”. Approximate transport weight is shown at 8,800 lb.  

For Canadian farms, these measurements are not small details. Dryer size affects pad planning, yard movement, transport access, and how easily the unit fits into the overall grain-handling setup. A dryer can look right on paper for performance, but physical fit still matters once installation begins.  

Augers, unloading, and grain handling

In the GSI 1100 Series specification table, the 1118 is listed with an 8-inch top auger, 5 HP, an 8-inch bottom auger, 5 HP, and a top auger handling figure of 3,800 BPH. The meter roll drive is listed as SCR, 3/4 HP, and maximum discharge rate is shown at 2,240 BPH, with actual discharge controlled by meter roll speed adjustment.  

These figures matter because real-world dryer performance depends on more than the heater and airflow. Grain feed consistency, unload control, and how smoothly the crop moves through the machine can all affect how practical the dryer feels during a demanding harvest window.  

Heater, fuel, and electrical details

The heater on the GSI 1118 is listed at 7.0 million BTU/hr in GSI’s portable dryer literature. Fan specifications for the 1118 are shown as single phase: 20 HP, 42-inch fan and three phase: 20 HP, 42-inch fan.  

In the electrical-load table, the 1118 is shown at 118 amps for 1 phase, 220 volt, 71 amps for 3 phase, 220 volt, 38 ampsfor 3 phase, 440 volt, 31 amps for 3 phase, 575 volt, and 48 amps for 3 phase, 380 volt, excluding auxiliary load and unload conveyor equipment.  

Fuel planning matters too. In GSI’s manual, the 1118 line is paired with maximum fuel-flow figures that reflect its higher heat requirement, which is one reason installation planning should always look beyond the headline BPH number. Electrical service, fuel setup, and site readiness can change the economics of a dryer more than buyers first expect.  

Drying style and crop-use flexibility

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

That gives the 1118 more flexibility than a simple category label suggests. The right fit still depends on crop mix, moisture targets, storage airflow, and overall harvest strategy, but GSI’s own wording makes it clear that the series is not limited to only one narrow use case.  

What makes the GSI 1118 attractive to buyers

From an Aglist perspective, the GSI 1118 Grain Dryer stands out because it offers a stronger-capacity option while still staying within a simple single-module portable platform. That can be attractive for farms that want more throughput and more harvest breathing room, but do not want the jump in size, layout, or complexity that comes with moving into a larger dryer family.  

It can be especially appealing for growers who want a first serious high-speed dryer with more room than the smaller 1100 Series models, while still keeping the machine realistic to place, power, and run on a small- or medium-sized farm.  

Real-world buying questions

Is the GSI 1118 enough for a mid-sized grain operation?

It can be, depending on acreage, harvest pace, crop moisture, labour, and storage airflow. On paper, the 1118 offers 800 BPH at 20% to 15% in Full Heat and 490 bushels total holding capacity, which gives it a meaningful step up over the smaller models in the same family.  

Is the 1118 still a good first dryer?

Yes, in many cases. That fits how GSI positions the 1100 Series overall, as a range designed for smaller and medium-sized farms and marketed as a good first high-speed dryer.  

Can it work for crops besides corn?

GSI says yes, in the right setup. While the series is mainly presented as an all-heat corn dryer, GSI also mentions occasional soybean or wheat drying in Dry & Cool operation when cooled grain is needed.  

Final thoughts

The GSI 1118 Grain Dryer is a strong fit for farms that want more drying capacity than the smaller 1100 Series units while keeping the same practical single-module concept. With published output up to 800 BPH at 20% to 15% in Full Heat, 490 bushels of total holding capacity, and a portable design aimed at small- to medium-sized farms, it fills an important place near the upper half of the GSI 1100 Series.  

For Aglist, this page works best as a model-focused resource built around specifications, buyer comparison, farm-fit decisions, and later owner feedback. It is exactly the type of model where real operator impressions can add value beyond the brochure data.  

GSI 1118 Reviews & Ratings