horntools is bringing a new premium winch to market with the OCTA. The new OCTA series comes with 3.6, 4.3 and 5.4 tonnes of pulling power. According to horntools, it is up to 3x faster than the previous models. You can pre-order it now, and horntools starts shipping in mid-December.
The OCTA is the new flagship of the horntools winch range. horntools has been building electric winches for over 30 years, and now the company is giving its premium series a completely new look.
Faster line speed
Apart from the design, the biggest difference is probably the speed. According to horntools, the OCTA reels in the rope up to three times faster than the previous models. With no load, the 3.6-tonne pulls in up to 16 metres per minute, the 4.3-tonne 12.5 and the 5.4-tonne 10, and the 24-volt version even manages 17. Keep in mind that these figures are without load. Every winch slows down once it’s actually pulling, of course. Under the hood, there’s a series-wound motor and a three-stage planetary gearbox.
Three versions, 12 and 24 volts
The 3.6-tonne has an 8-millimetre synthetic rope, 30 metres long, and the 4.3 and the 5.4-tonne each have a 10-millimetre rope with 28 metres. Weight and size are the same on all three. They weigh 31.5 kilos including the rope and measure 575 × 164 × 250 millimetres. The 12-volt models fit off-road vehicles, SUVs and pick-ups. If your vehicle runs on a 24-volt system, you can get the 5.4-tonne in a 24-volt version too.
New housing, detachable control unit
Looks-wise, the OCTA has hardly anything in common with the old horntools winches. Next to the previous, rather functional-looking models, the OCTA comes across as almost elegant. The housing is black powder-coated and sealed to IP68, so water crossings and dusty tracks are no problem at all. You can detach the control unit and mount it somewhere else. You operate the winch with a wireless or a cable remote, and both remotes come in the box. Straight from the factory, it also ships with a synthetic rope, a premium hook and an aluminium fairlead.

When can you get the OCTA?
You can pre-order the OCTA now, and the first winches go out from mid-December 2026. horntools gives a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on it. Below you’ll find all three versions with their specs and a direct link to horntools.
Weight and size, the three-stage planetary gearbox, the IP68 rating, the premium hook with a breaking load of 8.1 tonnes and the 180-centimetre power cable are the same on all three.
OCTA 3.6 tonnes at a glance
The fastest of the three, made for lighter SUVs and off-road vehicles.
- Pulling power 3.6 tonnes (model 8000Q8)
- Voltage 12 volts
- Line speed up to 16 m/min without load
- Gear ratio 130:1
- Max. current draw 520 amps
- Rope synthetic rope 8 mm × 30 m, breaking load 6.8 tonnes
See the OCTA 3.6 tonnes at horntools*
OCTA 4.3 tonnes at a glance
The all-rounder for most SUVs, pick-ups and off-road vehicles.
- Pulling power 4.3 tonnes (model 9500Q8)
- Voltage 12 volts
- Line speed up to 12.5 m/min without load
- Gear ratio 165:1
- Max. current draw 510 amps
- Rope synthetic rope 10 mm × 28 m, breaking load 11.6 tonnes
See the OCTA 4.3 tonnes at horntools*
OCTA 5.4 tonnes at a glance
The strongest in the series, for heavy SUVs and pick-ups, and the only one that also comes in 24 volts.
- Pulling power 5.4 tonnes (model 12000Q8)
- Voltage 12 or 24 volts
- Line speed up to 10 m/min (12 V) or 17 m/min (24 V) without load
- Gear ratio 230:1 (12 V) or 130:1 (24 V)
- Motor output 6.2 kW (12 V) or 8.6 kW (24 V) input power
- Max. current draw 490 amps (12 V) or 400 amps (24 V)
- Rope synthetic rope 10 mm × 28 m, breaking load 11.6 tonnes
See the OCTA 5.4 tonnes at horntools*
Frequently asked questions about the horntools OCTA
Which vehicles does the OCTA fit?
Basically anything you drive off-road, from an SUV to a heavy pick-up. The main thing is that the pulling power suits your vehicle. As a rule of thumb, go for about one and a half times the weight of your vehicle fully fuelled and loaded, and if in doubt, go one size up. Once you’re properly stuck in the mud, the suction of the ground adds to the weight of the vehicle. In practice, the 3.6-tonne is enough for lighter vehicles, the 4.3-tonne is the solid all-rounder for most off-road vehicles and pick-ups, and the 5.4-tonne pulls out heavy pick-ups and smaller expedition trucks too. If you drive a 24-volt vehicle, take the 5.4-tonne in 24 volts. We’ve written up in detail how much pulling power you really need in our winch guide (in German).
Is the OCTA waterproof?
Yes. The housing is sealed to IP68, so it handles water crossings and even longer submersion. IP stands for Ingress Protection, meaning protection against dirt and liquids getting in. The first digit, 6, means dust-tight, so no harmful amount of dust can get inside. The second digit, 8, stands for protection against continuous submersion in water.
Can you detach the control unit?
Yes. You can take the control unit off and mount it on the side of the winch, depending on how much space you have on your vehicle.
How long is the warranty?
horntools gives a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on all OCTA winches, on top of the statutory warranty.
When is the OCTA available?
You can pre-order all three versions now. horntools starts shipping in mid-December 2026.
* These are affiliate links. Buying through them doesn’t cost you a cent more, but we get a small commission and go splashing through the next mud puddle with a big grin. That’s how you help keep the magazine free for everyone. Thanks a lot!


