GSI 1218S Portable Grain Dryer

The GSI 1218S is a single-module portable grain dryer in the 1200S&H Series, built around two vane axial fans, two heaters, and a balanced 50/50 plenum split. With 490 bushels of holding capacity and Full Heat drying performance up to 860 BPH at 5-point moisture removal, the 1218S sits between the entry-level 1214S and the 900-plus BPH 1220S — making it a strong fit for mid-size operations that need more throughput than the 1214S without stepping into the larger 1220 frame.

Like all S-Series models, the 1218S is upgradable. Operators starting with a 1218S can later add modules to convert the unit into a 2300 Series two-module dryer or a 3400 Series three-module dryer, preserving the original investment as the operation grows. This makes the 1218S a strategic choice for farms in active expansion or with capacity uncertainty over a 5–10 year horizon.

Key Specifications

Specification	Value
Series	1200S&H
Configuration	1 Module / 2 Stages
Fans	2 vane axial @ 10–12 HP, 36″
Heaters	2 @ 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr
Plenum Split	50/50
Grain Column	14″ × 18′
Total Holding Capacity	490 BU
Grain Column Holding Capacity	423 BU
Top Auger (Loading)	8″ flight, 5 HP — 3,800 BPH
Bottom Auger (Unloading)	8″ flight / 10″ tube, 5 HP
Meter Roll Drive	VFD, 1 HP — 2,520 BPH max
Fuel	LP or Natural Gas
Phase Options	Single Phase or Three Phase
Voltage	230V / 208V / 460V / 575V
Inverter (VFD) Available	Yes
Upgradable	Yes (S-Series)
Control System	Vision Controls (GSI Connect compatible)

Drying Capacity

All capacities below are wet bushels per hour, based on mature unfrozen #2 yellow shelled dent corn. Full Heat assumes grain is cooled in-bin after discharge; Dry & Cool numbers reflect grain that exits the dryer already cooled.

Mode	Moisture Removal	Capacity
Full Heat	30% to 15%	390 BPH
Full Heat	25% to 15%	540 BPH
Full Heat	20% to 15%	860 BPH
Dry & Cool (Continuous)	25% to 15%	240 BPH
Dry & Cool (Continuous)	20% to 15%	385 BPH
Dry & Cool (Staged Batch)	25% to 15%	350 BPH
Dry & Cool (Staged Batch)	20% to 15%	450 BPH

The 1218S delivers 860 BPH in Full Heat at 5-point removal — about 18% more throughput than the 1214S, achieved by extending the grain column from 14′ to 18′ and increasing heater output from 3.0 to 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr per heater. The longer column gives the grain more dwell time in front of the heated air, which is particularly noticeable at heavier moisture removal: at 25% to 15% Full Heat, the 1218S handles 540 BPH versus 450 BPH on the 1214S.

For operators running Staged Batch Dry & Cool, the 1218S delivers 450 BPH at 5-point removal — roughly 25% faster than continuous Dry & Cool in the same conditions, because of how the alternating dry and cool cycles are sequenced inside the dryer.

Fan & Heater Configuration

The 1218S runs two vane axial fans rated 10–12 HP each, with 36-inch fan housings — a step up from the 28-inch fans on the 1214S. The larger fan diameter pushes more airflow through the longer 18-foot grain column at the same static pressure efficiency, which is what makes the increased capacity possible without proportionally larger horsepower.

Each fan pairs with its own 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr heater feeding a dedicated plenum. The 50/50 plenum split delivers equal heat input to both halves of the grain column — a key advantage over the standard 1200 Series with its 67/33 split that biases heat toward the upper plenum.

For single-phase operations, the 1218S is available with single-phase fans drawing 157–212 amps at 230V — making it one of the largest 1200S&H models still practical without three-phase service. Three-phase configurations are available across all standard voltages (208V, 230V, 460V, 575V) and deliver lower amp draw at the same drying capacity.

Grain Column & Holding Capacity

The 1218S uses standard 14-inch wide grain columns measuring 18 feet long. Total holding capacity is 490 bushels, with 423 bushels held inside the active grain column itself — the remainder occupies the loading and discharge zones.

The 14″ column width is GSI’s standard for the entire portable lineup and is optimized for corn-sized kernels. For drying canola or other small grains, the optional small grain screen with 0.055″ perforations is available. Note that installing the small grain screen reduces corn drying capacity by approximately 20%.

Loading, Unloading & Metering

Top auger (loading): 8-inch flight driven by a 5 HP motor, with a peak loading rate of 3,800 BPH. At full feed rate, the 1218S can be loaded from empty in roughly 8 minutes — important for keeping truck cycle time short during peak harvest.

Bottom auger (unloading): 8-inch flight in a 10-inch tube, also 5 HP. The unloading auger is sized to keep pace with the dryer’s peak metering capacity.

Meter roll drive: 1 HP VFD with maximum metering capacity of 2,520 BPH — about 28% higher than the 1214S’s metering ceiling. This headroom matters for operators running All Heat at 5-point removal, where actual discharge rates approach the meter roll’s maximum.

The VFD-driven meter roll, combined with Vision Controls, enables the 1218S to target a specific exit moisture content and adjust unload speed dynamically as inlet moisture varies. This is a major efficiency gain over fixed-speed metering and one of the reasons the 1200S&H Series outperforms older single-fan dryers on consistency.

Operating Modes

The 1218S supports all four standard 1200S&H operating modes:

All Heat — Maximum throughput. Grain leaves the dryer hot and is cooled in-bin. Best for corn and rice operations with adequate in-bin cooling air. Peak capacity: 860 BPH at 5-point removal.

Continuous Dry & Cool — Full continuous flow with integrated cooling. Grain exits cooled and ready for direct binning. Slower than All Heat but eliminates in-bin cooling requirements.

Staged Batch Dry & Cool — Alternating dry/cool cycles inside the dryer. Faster than continuous Dry & Cool while still delivering pre-cooled grain. Particularly useful for high-moisture corn or sensitive grains where extended exposure to heat affects quality.

Continuous Flow — Steady-state production mode for lower moisture differentials.

This four-mode flexibility lets the 1218S adapt to multiple grain types and variable harvest moistures across the season — a meaningful advantage for diversified operations.

Transport & Installed Dimensions

The 1218S is engineered as a true portable dryer and can be relocated between sites or repositioned on-farm as needed.

Dimension	Transport	Installed
Length	27′ 2″ (hitch to discharge auger)	25′ 2″
Width	8′	8′ 8″
Height	13′ 5″ (11′ 9″ shortest)	14′ 6″ (excl. foundation supports)
Approximate Weight	11,500 lbs	—

Installed width is slightly wider than transport width because of the fan housings extending beyond the column profile. Transport height is given with both standard and shortest configurations — the lower 11′ 9″ figure assumes the discharge auger is folded down for road transport under low bridges and power lines.

At 11,500 lbs transport weight, the 1218S is roughly 2,000 lbs heavier than the 1214S, primarily due to the longer grain column and larger fans. This still keeps it within a manageable range for most farm tractors and trucks rated for portable grain handling equipment.

Vision Controls

The 1218S ships standard with Vision Controls — GSI’s purpose-built color touchscreen control system for grain dryers. Vision handles:

• All four operating modes with dedicated mode-select interface
• Plenum temperature setpoints for both upper and lower heaters
• Moisture-targeting through automatic meter roll VFD adjustment
• Full system diagnostics and fault logging
• Multi-grain profiles for fast switching between corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, and other crops

The Vision display can be mounted directly on the dryer or remoted into a shop or office with a hardwired connection. The remote option is particularly useful for operators running the dryer continuously during harvest who want monitoring without walking to the unit.

GSI Connect Remote Management

The 1218S is GSI Connect compatible, enabling phone-based remote monitoring and control through the GSI Connect mobile app. Connect functionality includes:

• Real-time dryer status (running, idle, fault)
• Live plenum temperatures and grain moisture readings
• Remote setpoint adjustment
• Remote stop function
• Unload speed adjustment
• Performance logs and runtime alerts

GSI Connect is especially valuable for overnight drying runs or when the dryer is sited away from the main farmstead. It also provides historical performance data that can be used to optimize drying efficiency season over season.

Optional Equipment

Beyond the standard configuration, the 1218S supports several factory and dealer-installed options:

Static Moisture Sampler — Improves moisture reading accuracy by sampling only when grain is stationary. Includes debris guards to prevent fines from contaminating the sensor. Recommended for operators using moisture-targeting mode in Vision Controls.

Inverters (VFDs) — Available on all 1200S&H models including the 1218S. VFD upgrades allow finer control over fan and auger speeds, reducing energy consumption at partial loads.

Small Grain Screen — 0.055″ perforations for canola and other small grains. Reduces corn capacity by approximately 20% when installed.

Single-to-Three-Phase Converter — For operators wanting three-phase fan performance on a single-phase service.

Best Applications for the 1218S

The 1218S fits a specific operational profile. Understanding where it fits — and where it doesn’t — helps avoid costly sizing mistakes.

Best fit:

• Mid-size farms with 700–900 BPH typical drying demand
• Operations with active growth plans requiring a multi-module dryer in 5–10 years (S-Series upgrade path)
• Single-phase farmsteads wanting dual-fan performance without committing to three-phase service
• Operations primarily drying corn, with secondary use on soybeans, wheat, or rice
• Custom drying businesses needing a portable, flexible mid-capacity unit
• Operations that have outgrown a 1214S or 1100 Series dryer and want a single-step upgrade

Less suitable for:

• Operations consistently exceeding 1,000 BPH demand — step up to the 1220S/H or 1222S/H
• Large farms with no expansion plans — consider the standard 1200 Series for a non-upgradable equivalent
• Pure small-grain operations where canola or wheat is the primary use — the 14″ column is corn-optimized

How the 1218S Compares to Adjacent Models

1218S vs 1214S: The 1218S adds 4 feet of grain column (18′ vs 14′) and steps heater output from 3.0 to 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr per heater. The result is 130 BPH more Full Heat capacity at 5-point removal (860 vs 730 BPH) — about 18% more throughput. Choose the 1218S if your typical drying volume consistently exceeds 700 BPH.

1218S vs 1220S/H: The 1220 family adds another 2 feet of column (20′ vs 18′), upgrades fans to 15 HP at 36″, and pushes heaters to 4.5 Mil. BTU/hr each. Full Heat capacity jumps to 990 BPH — the threshold where the 1220 breaks 900 BPH and starts approaching the four-figure range. The 1220 also adds the H-Series stand-alone option and X-Stream HX availability, neither of which is offered on the 1218.

1218S vs 1118 (1100 Series): The 1118 is a single-fan, single-heater dryer with one plenum. The 1218S delivers more capacity, mode flexibility, and a more uniform drying profile thanks to its dual-fan, 50/50 split layout. The 1218S is the better long-term investment for any operation expecting to grow or wanting four-mode operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the holding capacity of the GSI 1218S? The 1218S has a total holding capacity of 490 bushels, with 423 bushels in the active grain column.

What is the maximum drying capacity of the 1218S? At 5-point moisture removal (20% to 15%) in Full Heat mode, the 1218S delivers up to 860 BPH on standard corn.

Can the 1218S run on single-phase power? Yes. The 1218S is available in a single-phase configuration with 230V single-phase fans drawing 157–212 amps.

Is the 1218S upgradable? Yes. As an S-Series dryer, the 1218S is engineered to accept additional modules later, allowing conversion to a two-module 2300 Series or three-module 3400 Series dryer without replacing the base unit.

What fuel does the 1218S use? The 1218S supports both liquid propane (LP) and natural gas (NG), selectable at order configuration.

What is the transport weight of the 1218S? Approximately 11,500 lbs.

Does the 1218S support remote monitoring? Yes. The 1218S ships with Vision Controls and is compatible with GSI Connect for full remote dryer management via the GSI Connect mobile app.

Can the 1218S dry canola or other small grains? Yes, with the optional small grain screen (0.055″ perforations). Capacity on corn is reduced by approximately 20% when the small grain screen is installed.

Is there a 1218H version? No. The 1218 is currently offered only in S-Series (upgradable) configuration. H-Series stand-alone variants begin at the 1220H.

Related Models in the 1200S&H Series

• 1214S — Entry point in the series, 381 BU holding, 730 BPH Full Heat
• 1220S / 1220H — 544 BU holding, breaks 900 BPH Full Heat threshold, X-Stream available
• 1222S / 1222H — 599 BU holding, over 1,000 BPH Full Heat, X-Stream available
• 1226S / 1226H — Series flagship, 708 BU holding, 1,330 BPH Full Heat, X-Stream available

GSI 1218S Reviews & Ratings