GSI 2318 Portable Grain Dryer

The GSI 2318 is a two-module portable grain dryer in the 2300 Series, built around three vane axial fans (one upper, two lower), three heaters, and a three-stage drying architecture. With 940 bushels of holding capacity and Full Heat drying performance up to 1,810 BPH at 5-point moisture removal, the 2318 delivers a meaningful capacity step up from the entry-level 2314 while remaining one of the more compact two-module options in the GSI portable lineup.

The 2318 is the second-smallest model in the 2300 Series and the first to require three-phase power. Unlike the 2314 — which can be ordered in either single-phase or three-phase configuration — the 2318’s larger 20 HP top fan motor exceeds practical single-phase limits and operates only on three-phase service. This makes the 2318 the right choice for operations that have three-phase infrastructure in place and need more throughput than the 2314 can deliver, but don’t yet require the additional capacity (or capital investment) of the 2320 and larger models.

For operations handling 5,000 to 8,500 acres of corn — or any grain operation needing reliable Continuous Dry & Cool throughput above 1,200 BPH — the 2318 frequently represents the most cost-effective entry into mid-range two-module drying capacity.

Key Specifications

Specification	Value
Series	2300
Configuration	2 Modules / 3 Stages
Fans	3 vane axial (1 upper @ 20 HP/42″, 2 lower @ 10–12 HP/36″)
Heaters	3 (1 upper @ 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr, 2 lower @ 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr)
Grain Column	14″ × 18′
Total Holding Capacity	940 BU
Grain Column Holding Capacity	873 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	Three Phase only
Voltage	208V / 230V / 460V / 575V
Inverter (VFD) Available	Yes
X-Stream Available	No (X-Stream begins at 2320X)
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%	830 BPH
Full Heat	25% to 15%	1,120 BPH
Full Heat	20% to 15%	1,810 BPH
Dry & Cool	25% to 15%	770 BPH
Dry & Cool	20% to 15%	1,240 BPH

The 2318 hits 1,810 BPH in Full Heat at 5-point removal — about 24% more than the 2314 and roughly 36% more than the largest single-module 1200S&H Series model (the 1226 at 1,330 BPH). The capacity gain over the 2314 is delivered by extending the grain column from 14′ to 18′, upgrading the top fan from 15 HP to 20 HP, and stepping the top heater from 5.5 to 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr.

In Dry & Cool mode, the 2318 delivers 1,240 BPH at 5-point removal — 24% more cooled-grain throughput than the 2314 and the highest Dry & Cool capacity available in the 2300 Series below the 2320 model. For operations whose primary mode is continuous cooled-grain drying, the 2318 represents a substantial step up in operational throughput per harvest day.

Fan & Heater Configuration

The 2318 uses the standard 2300 Series 1+2 fan configuration: one fan and heater on the upper module, two fans and heaters on the lower module.

Upper module:

• 1 vane axial fan @ 20 HP, 42″
• 1 heater @ 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr

Lower module:

• 2 vane axial fans @ 10–12 HP, 36″
• 2 heaters @ 3.5 Mil. BTU/hr each

The 2318’s upper module specifications represent a meaningful step up from the 2314: the top fan grows from 15 HP/40″ to 20 HP/42″, and the top heater grows from 5.5 to 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr — about 23% more thermal output where it matters most. This is the primary engineering reason the 2318 delivers significantly more capacity at moderate increases in column length and overall size.

The lower module fans step up from 28″ to 36″ housings. The larger fan diameter improves airflow distribution across the longer 18-foot lower column at the same horsepower rating, which keeps secondary drying and cooling efficient even at the 2318’s higher overall throughput.

The 2318 is three-phase only. Voltage options include 208V, 230V, 460V, and 575V:

• 208V three-phase: 158–208 amps
• 230V three-phase: 135–184 amps
• 460V three-phase: 70–92 amps
• 575V three-phase: 68–86 amps

Higher voltages deliver lower amp draw and are often preferred where 460V or 575V service is already in place. For operations without three-phase service, single-to-three-phase converters can be used — though for dryers in the 2318 class, this is rarely cost-effective compared to upgrading the farmstead’s electrical service.

The 2318 does not support X-Stream configuration. X-Stream variants in the 2300 Series begin with the 2320X model.

Grain Column & Holding Capacity

The 2318 uses standard 14-inch wide grain columns measuring 18 feet long. Total holding capacity is 940 bushels, with 873 bushels held inside the active grain column itself across both modules. The remainder occupies the loading and discharge zones above and below the dryer body.

The 18-foot column length is identical to the 1218S in the 1200S&H Series, but because the 2318 stacks two modules, it holds nearly twice the grain at any given moment (940 BU vs 490 BU on the 1218S). This is the practical impact of two-module architecture — doubled grain column surface area means doubled holding capacity at the same column length, which directly enables the dryer’s higher throughput.

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. Despite the 2318’s significantly higher throughput compared to the 2314, the loading auger uses the same 5 HP specification — fill time is roughly 15 minutes from empty at full feed rate. For operations running at high throughput where loading time matters, ensure truck-side delivery rate meets the 3,800 BPH ceiling.

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

Meter roll drive: 1 HP VFD with maximum metering capacity of 2,520 BPH — appropriate headroom over the 2318’s actual maximum throughput of 1,810 BPH Full Heat. This margin allows the dryer to handle capacity spikes during high-throughput drying cycles without bottlenecking at the meter roll.

The VFD-driven meter roll, combined with Vision Controls, lets the 2318 target a specific exit moisture content and adjust unload speed dynamically as inlet moisture varies. For operations handling grain with variable moisture across the harvest day, this dynamic targeting consistently reduces overdrying losses.

Operating Modes

The 2318 supports all four standard operating modes of the 2300 Series. The three-stage architecture makes Continuous Dry & Cool particularly efficient compared to two-stage single-module dryers.

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: 1,810 BPH at 5-point removal. Important: at this throughput, in-bin cooling typically requires bins of 50,000 bushels or less for safe cooling without active grain management. Operations running the 2318 at peak All Heat capacity should size cooling bin infrastructure accordingly.

Continuous Dry & Cool — Full continuous flow with integrated cooling. Grain exits cooled and ready for direct binning at up to 1,240 BPH. The 2318’s three-stage architecture makes this mode particularly effective.

Staged Batch Dry & Cool — Alternating dry/cool cycles inside the dryer. 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.

The 2318’s primary operational advantage is in Continuous Dry & Cool mode. At 1,240 BPH cooled-grain throughput, the 2318 delivers more than double the equivalent Dry & Cool capacity of any single-module dryer in the GSI portable lineup. For operations whose main mode is continuous cooling, this is the deciding factor in choosing the 2318 over the 1226 or stepping up from the 2314.

Transport & Installed Dimensions

The 2318 is engineered as a portable dryer despite the two-module stack. Operators planning to relocate the 2318 should confirm tractor or truck capacity is rated for portable grain handling equipment in the 19,000+ lb class.

Dimension	Transport	Installed
Length	27′ 2″ (hitch to discharge auger)	27′ 10″
Width	8′	8′ 8″
Height	13′ 5″ (11′ 9″ shortest)	25′ 11″ (excl. foundation supports)
Approximate Weight	19,000 lbs (less transport kit)	—

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.

The installed height of 25′ 11″ is fixed across all 2300 Series models — it represents the structural height of the two-module stack and doesn’t change with grain column length. This is significantly taller than any single-module dryer (the 1218S installed height is 14′ 6″) and is the most important physical consideration when planning a site for the 2318 versus a single-module alternative.

At 19,000 lbs transport weight (less transport kit), the 2318 is about 3,000 lbs heavier than the 2314 — primarily from the longer column and larger fans/heaters on the upper module.

Vision Controls

The 2318 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 all three heaters independently (upper plenum, lower-front plenum, lower-rear plenum)
• 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

Independent control of all three plenums is one of the operational advantages of the 2300 Series over single-module dryers. The operator can fine-tune upper plenum temperature for primary moisture removal (where the 2318’s larger 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr heater operates) while adjusting lower plenums for cooling intensity — a level of granular control that two-stage single-module dryers cannot offer.

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 two-module dryers because the operator typically cannot see the upper plenum directly from ground level during operation.

GSI Connect Remote Management

The 2318 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 for all three heaters and grain moisture readings
• Remote setpoint adjustment for each heater independently
• Remote stop function
• Unload speed adjustment
• Performance logs and runtime alerts

GSI Connect is especially valuable on the 2318 because three-fan, three-heater dryers benefit substantially from continuous monitoring — minor variations in any of the three plenum temperatures can affect grain quality, and Connect surfaces these issues immediately rather than at the next physical inspection.

For overnight harvest operations — common at the 2318’s throughput level — Connect’s remote monitoring capabilities let the operator catch faults and verify performance without physical trips to the dryer.

Optional Equipment

Beyond the standard configuration, the 2318 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. Strongly recommended on the 2318 because of its high throughput where moisture targeting accuracy directly affects operating efficiency at scale.

Inverters (VFDs) — Available on the 2318. 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.

Best Applications for the 2318

The 2318 fits a specific operational profile, and the three-phase requirement is often the primary deciding factor.

Best fit:

• Medium to large farms handling 5,000–8,500 acres of corn
• Operations primarily running Continuous Dry & Cool (the 1,240 BPH Dry & Cool capacity is the standout advantage)
• Three-phase farmsteads needing more capacity than the 2314 delivers
• Farms upgrading from a 2314 where Dry & Cool throughput became the bottleneck
• Operations requiring more capacity than single-module dryers can deliver, but where the larger 2320–2326 models would be oversized
• Custom drying operations needing reliable cooled-grain throughput in the 1,200–1,500 BPH range

Less suitable for:

• Single-phase farmsteads (the 2318 cannot operate on single-phase service)
• Operations consistently exceeding 2,000 BPH demand in Full Heat — step up to the 2320 or larger
• Pure All Heat operations where the 2318’s Dry & Cool advantage is wasted — consider the 1226S/H instead
• Operations requiring X-Stream uniformity benefits — consider the 2320X or larger
• Sites with strict installed height limits (the 25′ 11″ installed height applies)

How the 2318 Compares to Adjacent Models

2318 vs 2314: The 2318 adds 4 feet of grain column (18′ vs 14′), upgrades the top fan from 15 HP/40″ to 20 HP/42″, and steps the top heater from 5.5 to 6.75 Mil. BTU/hr. The result is 350 BPH more Full Heat capacity at 5-point removal (1,810 vs 1,460 BPH) — about 24% more throughput. The major trade-off: the 2318 is three-phase only, while the 2314 is the only 2300 Series model that supports single-phase operation. Choose the 2314 if single-phase is required; choose the 2318 if you have three-phase service and need more capacity.

2318 vs 2320 / 2320X: The 2320 jumps to 2,010 BPH Full Heat — about 11% more than the 2318 — with significantly larger fans (25 HP top fan vs 20 HP) and heaters (7.5 Mil. BTU/hr top heater vs 6.75 Mil.). The 2320 also adds X-Stream availability (2320X), which the 2318 lacks. Choose the 2318 if your throughput requirement is below 2,000 BPH and X-Stream isn’t needed; choose the 2320 if you need to break the 2,000 BPH threshold or want X-Stream uniformity benefits.

2318 vs 1226S/H (1200S&H flagship): The 2318 delivers 36% more Full Heat capacity (1,810 vs 1,330 BPH) and more than double the Dry & Cool capacity (1,240 vs 600 BPH). The trade-offs are significantly higher capital cost, three-phase requirement, and substantially taller installed footprint (25′ 11″ vs 14′ 6″). Choose the 2318 if you need the capacity step up and your site/electrical can accommodate; choose the 1226 if the height matters and All Heat is your primary mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the holding capacity of the GSI 2318? The 2318 has a total holding capacity of 940 bushels, with 873 bushels in the active grain column across both modules.

What is the maximum drying capacity of the 2318? At 5-point moisture removal (20% to 15%) in Full Heat mode, the 2318 delivers up to 1,810 BPH on standard corn. In Dry & Cool mode at the same moisture removal, the 2318 delivers up to 1,240 BPH.

Can the 2318 run on single-phase power? No. The 2318 is three-phase only. The 20 HP top fan motor exceeds practical single-phase limits. For single-phase operation in the 2300 Series, only the 2314 is available.

Why does the 2318 require three-phase power when the 2314 doesn’t? The 2318 uses a 20 HP top fan motor, while the 2314 uses a 15 HP top fan. The 15 HP motor remains within practical single-phase service limits, but the 20 HP motor does not. This is the primary engineering reason for the phase requirement difference.

Does the 2318 support X-Stream? No. X-Stream variants in the 2300 Series begin with the 2320X. The 2318 is offered only in the standard configuration.

What’s the difference between the 2318 and the 1218S? The 2318 is a two-module dryer with three fans and three drying stages. The 1218S is a single-module dryer with two fans and two drying stages. Both use 18-foot grain columns, but the 2318 holds nearly twice the grain (940 BU vs 490 BU) and delivers more than double the Full Heat capacity (1,810 BPH vs 860 BPH). The 1218S can run on single-phase power; the 2318 cannot.

What fuel does the 2318 use? The 2318 supports both liquid propane (LP) and natural gas (NG), selectable at order configuration.

What is the transport weight of the 2318? Approximately 19,000 lbs (less transport kit).

What is the installed height of the 2318? The 2318 has an installed height of 25′ 11″ (excluding foundation supports). This is identical across all 2300 Series models because it represents the structural height of the two-module stack.

Does the 2318 support remote monitoring? Yes. The 2318 ships with Vision Controls and is GSI Connect compatible, enabling full remote monitoring and control of all three plenum temperatures and unload speeds.

Can the 2318 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 the 2318 the best 2300 Series model for Continuous Dry & Cool? The 2318 offers strong Dry & Cool performance at 1,240 BPH, but larger 2300 models (2320, 2322, 2326) deliver progressively higher Dry & Cool throughput. The 2318 is best characterized as the most cost-effective 2300 model for operations whose Dry & Cool requirement falls in the 1,000–1,400 BPH range.

Related Models in the 2300 Series

• 2314 — Entry point in the series, 731 BU holding, 1,460 BPH Full Heat (single-phase available)
• 2320 / 2320X — 1,044 BU holding, 2,010 BPH Full Heat, X-Stream available
• 2322 / 2322X — 1,149 BU holding, 2,200 BPH Full Heat, X-Stream available
• 2326 / 2326X — Series flagship, 1,304 BU holding, 2,700 BPH Full Heat, X-Stream available

GSI 2318 Reviews & Ratings