I was at Dozer Dan's this past weekend and got to compare my 036 to a 357 in a couple of meaningful ways. My saw had a 20" bar and some converted RM2 chain (more like RM1½ now), ready to do some debarking, and the 357 had a short bar, no more than 16", with good chain.
I wasn't really interested in comparing the rate of cut between the two because I'm sure it isn't different enough to write home to mom about. I wanted to see how they compared in the areas of weight and vibration (both out of and in the cut for the latter).
Even with the smaller bar the 357 sure felt a tad heavier to me, and the owner of the 357 didn't say he disagreed.
As for vibration, the 357 was quite smooth out of the cut and pretty much the same while cutting. The (my) 036 acts more like a street-rod with a mild cam. It shakes around a bit at idle but smoothes right out in the cut. I swapped back and forth a few times and I really couldn't note a difference between the two saws in terms of vibration while cutting.
So for me the question would be where to make the tradeoff (apart from considerations regarding parts/peripherals commonality with other saws in the stable). Or rather, which quality would be more obnoxious after a day in the woods. Shaking a bit harder at idle or weighing a tad more?
The 361 is supposed to be comparatively lighter than the 036, and is undoubtedly smoother in hand at idle. It has been suggested it will outcut the 036 as well, so I sure wouldn't dismiss any of them quite so easily.
If filter maintenance is the prime concern then the Husky would be the one to choose.
They're all good.
Glen
