i bet this is a simple question for someone

[Quebecguy]

Hello Hotpot,
Your tractor is very similar to one of mine. The knob on the right hand side is for the "Isolating Valve". The manual says: "This valve is used to isolate the three point linkage. Closing the valve, hydraulically locks the linkage thus providing a safety device against inadvertent movement of the position control lever. NOTE: The valve must always be fully open or fully closed."
On the left hand side is the "Response Control". The manual says: "This regulates the delivery from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic system. Push in the knob and turn it anti-clockwise for slow delivery rate."
If your three point linkage works at an acceptable speed why don't you do what I have been doing for 45 years or so: don't touch either knob?

 

[Hotpot]

ok i think ill take your advise. Thanks

 

[sixdogs]

Get an owner's manual and get it ASAP. Try EBAY or the internet or buy one new.

 

[Quebecguy]

Plus whats a good manual to buy?

Hello again Hotspot,
I find the original Operators Manual that came with my tractor to be fine for operating instructions and basic maintenance but not so good for any kind of repair work. I also have a copy of an I&T Shop Service manual number IH-201 which covers many models including yours but is sorely lacking in detail. It is better than nothing and does contain lots of useful information. I don't know of any other available manuals so if you come across a good one please let us all know.
If you are searching the web for manuals you should be aware of a peculiarity with the IH354 tractors. In Canada, Great Britain and possibly everywhere else except the United States this exact same model was/is known as a IH444. Of course there is another bigger, American market tractor named the IH444. I don't know the reason why International Harvester chose to do this but it seems to me they made an extraordinarily stupid marketing mistake in creating this needless confusion.