Overview & Specs

GT RB800 Grain Dryer Review, Specs & Buyer’s Guide — Canada

The GT RB800 is the largest recirculating batch grain dryer in GT Manufacturing’s standard RB lineup — an 820-bushel machine with a 38-inch centrifugal fan, a 3-million-BTU burner, and a 500 bu/h drying rate (at 5 points of moisture removal). PTO-driven with a 30 HP electric option, it serves larger prairie farms wanting the most batch capacity GT offers short of the all-automatic RAB models. GT has built recirculating batch dryers since 1953 and positions itself as a worldwide leader in the batch field.

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

Aglist quick take: The RB800 is the flagship of GT’s standard batch range — 820-bushel batch, 500 bu/h, the highest-capacity manual batch GT before the automatic RAB series. Strong for larger farms wanting big-batch drying with proven simplicity. Where it’s limited: as a manual batch machine it lacks the RAB’s automation, and batch throughput still trails continuous-flow for the very highest daily volumes.

On This Page

Quick Verdict — Who the GT RB800 Is For

Buy it if: you run a larger farm, want the biggest standard batch GT offers (820 bu, 500 bu/h), and value simple PTO batch drying. Skip it if: you want batch automation (step to the RAB5000/RAB8000), or need continuous-flow throughput for the highest daily volumes (NECO or GSI tower).

1. Full GT RB800 Specifications

Category	Spec	Value
Type	Dryer design	Recirculating batch
Drying capacity	At 20.5–15.5% (5 pts)	500 bu/h (12.5 t/h)
Bushel capacity	Batch	820 bu (20.9 tonne)
Burner	Max output	3,000,000 BTU/h (879 kW)
Fan	Type	38″ centrifugal
	Rating	17,000 CFM @ 1.5″ SP
Power	PTO speed	525 rpm
	Electric motor (option)	30 HP (22.3 kW)
Recirculating time		16–20 min
Augers	Loading/unloading rate	3,000 bu/h each
Dimensions	Diameter of bin	11 ft (3.4 m)
	Height to top of auger	23 ft 5 in
	Overall length	20 ft 5 in
Weight	PTO model	6,000 lb (2,725 kg)
Fuel		Propane (vaporizer included)
Warranty		2-year limited

Source: GT Manufacturing official specifications. Standard equipment includes 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 RB800 scales the design to an 820-bushel batch — the largest in GT’s manual RB range — with a 38-inch centrifugal fan moving 17,000 CFM and faster 3,000 bu/h loading and unloading augers (up from 2,000 bu/h on smaller models) to keep batch turnaround quick at this size. The 16–20 minute recirculating cycle reflects the large batch.

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 RB800 in Canada, please leave a star rating and a short note below.

4. How the GT RB800 Compares

Spec	GT RB800	GT RB600	GT RAB5000
Drying capacity	500 bu/h	385 bu/h	All-automatic
Batch capacity	820 bu	640 bu	(automatic batch)
Fan	38″ centrifugal	38″ centrifugal	Centrifugal (3-ph)
Burner	3.0M BTU	3.0M BTU	3.5M BTU
Recirc time	16–20 min	12–15 min	12–15 min
Weight (PTO)	6,000 lb	5,100 lb	5,600 lb

Where the RB800 fits: the top of GT’s manual RB batch range at 820 bushels and 500 bu/h, with faster augers to match. The RAB5000 adds all-automatic operation with the GT Grain Guard control system. See the GT grain dryers hub.

5. Real-World Performance

The RB800’s 500 bu/h at 5 points with an 820-bushel batch makes it GT’s most capable manual batch dryer. The 38-inch centrifugal fan moves 17,000 CFM, and the upgraded 3,000 bu/h loading and unloading augers keep batch turnaround efficient at this scale — a meaningful detail, since auger speed affects how quickly you can cycle large batches. The 23 ft 5 in plenum height and 6,000 lb weight reflect the flagship size. PTO drive at 525 rpm with a 30 HP electric option. Well-matched to larger farms drying significant daily 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. On a flagship-size machine, confirm running gear, the tall plenum structure, and auger condition on used units.

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, including larger models, appear on AgDealer, Ritchie Bros, and BigIron. GT cites high resale value and 1–3 year payback.

8. Best Use Cases in Canadian Conditions

Larger prairie farms (SK / AB / MB) drying significant daily volumes. Remote yards without three-phase power (PTO drive). Operations wanting the largest manual batch GT offers, with fast augers for quick turnaround. Not ideal for: operations wanting batch automation (RAB) or continuous-flow throughput.

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 RB800 FAQ

How much grain can a GT RB800 dry? 500 bu/h at 5 points of moisture removal, with an 820-bushel batch — the largest in GT’s manual RB range. Throughput varies with crop and conditions.

GT RB800 vs RB600 — what’s different? The RB800 has a larger 820-bushel batch (vs 640 bu), a higher 500 bu/h rate (vs 385), and faster 3,000 bu/h augers (vs 2,000), making it GT’s flagship manual batch dryer.

What’s the difference between the RB800 and RAB5000? The RB800 is a manual recirculating batch dryer; the RAB5000 adds all-automatic operation with the GT Grain Guard control system and a larger 3.5M BTU burner. Choose the RAB for automation.

Is the RB800 PTO or electric? PTO standard (525 rpm), optional 30 HP electric motor.

Is it still made? Yes — the flagship of GT’s current manual RB batch range.

11. Related Models on Aglist

GT RB600 — smaller 640-bu batch
GT RAB5000 — all-automatic batch dryer
GT 645XL — axial-fan 640-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.