Overview & Specs

GT RB600 Grain Dryer Review, Specs & Buyer’s Guide — Canada

The GT RB600 is a 640-bushel recirculating batch grain dryer from GT Manufacturing — the centrifugal-fan counterpart to the 645XL, pairing a large 640-bushel batch with a 38-inch centrifugal fan and a 3-million-BTU burner. With a 385 bu/h drying rate (at 5 points of moisture removal) and PTO drive, it serves mid-to-larger prairie farms that want big batch capacity with a centrifugal fan’s characteristics. GT has built recirculating batch dryers since 1953.

This guide covers the full official spec sheet, the batch process, Canadian pricing context, ownership notes, and GT lineup comparisons.

Aglist quick take: The RB600 is the centrifugal-fan version of GT’s 640-bushel class — same big batch as the axial-fan 645XL, but with a 38″ centrifugal fan and a shorter recirc cycle. Strong for mid-to-larger farms wanting that fan character at high capacity. Where it’s limited: batch throughput still caps daily volume; the RB800 and RAB models sit above it for the largest operations.

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Quick Verdict — Who the GT RB600 Is For

Buy it if: you want a 640-bushel batch with a centrifugal fan, run a mid-to-larger farm, and value simple PTO batch drying. Skip it if: you’d prefer the axial-fan 645XL, need the RB800’s larger batch, or require continuous-flow throughput (NECO or GSI tower).

1. Full GT RB600 Specifications

Category	Spec	Value
Type	Dryer design	Recirculating batch
Drying capacity	At 20.5–15.5% (5 pts)	385 bu/h (9.8 t/h)
Bushel capacity	Batch	640 bu (16.3 tonne)
Burner	Max output	3,000,000 BTU/h (879 kW)
Fan	Type	38″ centrifugal
	Rating	17,200 CFM @ 1.5″ SP
Power	PTO speed	525 rpm
	Electric motor (option)	25 HP, 1,750 rpm (18.6 kW)
Recirculating time		12–15 min
Augers	Loading/unloading rate	2,000 bu/h each
Dimensions	Diameter of bin	11 ft (3.4 m)
	Height to top of auger	21 ft 4 in
	Overall length	20 ft 5 in
Weight	PTO model	5,100 lb (2,313 kg)
Fuel		Propane (vaporizer included)
Warranty		2-year limited

Source: GT Manufacturing official specifications. Standard equipment includes four tires, ladder, eight jack stands, loading hopper, circulating auger, PTO tumbler shaft, dryer controls with grain sampler, fan clutch, access door to plenum, and vaporizer.

2. How the Recirculating Batch Process Works

Grain loads as a batch; a circulating auger keeps it moving while a fan forces heated air through, drying every kernel evenly through repeated recirculation. At target moisture the batch unloads. The RB600 pairs a large 640-bushel batch with a 38-inch centrifugal fan moving 17,200 CFM — the same high airflow as the 645XL but with the centrifugal fan’s quieter, high-static-pressure character and a shorter 12–15 minute recirc cycle. Daily throughput is set by batch size and cycle time.

3. Owner Reviews & Ratings on Aglist

As Canadian owners share their experience on Aglist, the rating system tracks reliability, real drying capacity, fuel efficiency, ease of operation, and serviceability. If you own or have run a GT RB600 in Canada, please leave a star rating and a short note below.

4. How the GT RB600 Compares

Spec	GT RB600	GT 645XL	GT RB800
Drying capacity	385 bu/h	385 bu/h	500 bu/h
Batch capacity	640 bu	640 bu	820 bu
Fan	38″ centrifugal	32″ axial	38″ centrifugal
Recirc time	12–15 min	17–21 min	16–20 min
Weight (PTO)	5,100 lb	4,900 lb	6,000 lb

Where the RB600 fits: the centrifugal-fan option in GT’s 640-bushel class, with a shorter recirc cycle than the axial-fan 645XL. The RB800 steps up to an 820-bushel batch. Choose between RB600 and 645XL by fan preference and recirc time. See the GT grain dryers hub.

5. Real-World Performance

The RB600’s 385 bu/h at 5 points with a 640-bushel batch makes it a high-capacity batch dryer. The 38-inch centrifugal fan moves 17,200 CFM quietly and handles static pressure well, and its shorter recirc cycle than the 645XL is a practical advantage at this batch size. The 3M BTU burner supports the large batch. PTO drive at 525 rpm with a 25 HP electric option. Well-suited to mid-to-larger farms drying substantial volumes.

6. Common Problems & Reliability Notes

Transparency note: general batch-dryer considerations, not model-specific defects. Maintain the circulating auger and drive, burner and vaporizer, fan clutch and belt, and PTO driveline; observe propane discipline in cold weather. Confirm running gear and jack stands on used units of this larger machine.

7. Price Range in Canada

New pricing varies by dealer, configuration, and province — request a quote from a Canadian GT dealer. Used GT batch dryers appear on AgDealer, Ritchie Bros, and BigIron. GT cites high resale value and 1–3 year payback.

8. Best Use Cases in Canadian Conditions

Mid-to-larger prairie farms (SK / AB / MB) drying substantial volumes. Remote yards without three-phase power (PTO drive). Operations wanting a centrifugal fan at high batch capacity. Not ideal for: the largest daily volumes (RB800/RAB) or continuous-flow needs.

9. Maintenance & Service

Maintain circulating auger and drive
Service burner and vaporizer; propane discipline in cold
Check fan clutch, belt, PTO driveline, running gear
Inspect grain sampler and controls
Keep a ULC-approved fire extinguisher with the dryer

See the GT grain dryers hub for full guidance.

10. GT RB600 FAQ

How much grain can a GT RB600 dry? 385 bu/h at 5 points of moisture removal, 640-bushel batch. Throughput varies with crop and conditions.

GT RB600 vs 645XL — what’s different? Same 640-bushel batch and 385 bu/h rate, but the RB600 uses a 38″ centrifugal fan with a shorter 12–15 minute recirc cycle, while the 645XL uses a 32″ axial fan with a 17–21 minute cycle. Choose by fan preference.

Is the RB600 PTO or electric? PTO standard (525 rpm), optional 25 HP electric motor.

Is it still made? Yes — part of GT’s current RB batch series.

11. Related Models on Aglist

GT 645XL — same batch, axial fan
GT RB500 — smaller 500-bu batch, centrifugal fan
GT RB800 — larger 820-bu batch
GT Grain Dryers Compared — full GT lineup hub
NECO Mixed-Flow Dryers — continuous-flow alternative
Best Grain Dryers in Canada — full buyer’s guide

Disclaimer

Specifications sourced from GT Manufacturing’s official model pages; specs subject to change without notice. Pricing varies by dealer, configuration, and province. Reviews on Aglist are written by real users and moderated for spam — opinions are personal. Always confirm specifications with your GT dealer and the owner’s manual before purchase, service, or repair.