750 backhoe trans fluid

How do I check the trans fluid level?
do I need to have the engine running and warmed up and then check it?

I was hoping to get some sort of feed back with my post thinking if I kept it simple and to the point I would get some sort of feed back, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
So maybe you guys want to see some more info and back ground before giving up some info.
I just got this beast from friend. It's been sitting for about 8 or 10 years. I don't know any of it's history. I have figured out that it was built in december of 1978 (even though the 750 was only built from 75 to 77)and has a 3 speed automatic trans that uses hydaulic fluid.It has the look of being ridden hard and put away wet. All systems work and it runs and drives but needs attention now or very soon. The drivability part is my biggs concern. It drives like my old truck when the trans fluid is very low. It will go forward and reverse in all gears but doesn't have a very positive feel and doesn't react much to throttle imput.
I checked the trans fluid with the engine off and cold. Should I be doing something else?
I don't want to sink a bunch money and time into this thing if the tranny is shot.
Any suggestions would be a big help.
Thanks
Jason

I assume that the reason that you haven't gotten many responses is because that tractor was only made for a few years and probably few if any people who frequent this forum have ever seen or worked on one.

Here is a link to the parts diagram for that transmission case.

http://partstore.agriculture.newholland.com/us/parts-search.html#epc::mr48827ar396226

It looks like part number 38 is the transmission dipstick which is I assume is where you checked the fluid level. I don't know the proper procedure, but if it were mine and I couldn't find a manual I would run it up to operating temperature and then shut it off and let it sit for a few minutes before checking the level. If it's been sitting for 8 or 10 years, I would change all of the fluids, engine, trans and rear axle if that is a separate sump, and all of the filters, including the filter for the transmission, as my guess is that if you checked the fluid when cold it should be high enough even when hot to power the tractor properly, and a possible cause of not enough power being delivered is a clogged filter. Again, all of this is just based on good practice without any specific knowledge of that model.

Here's the parts page for the pressure regulator valve, charge pump and filter, although you can't really tell from the picture whether that filter is accessible from the outside or if you have to open the transmission up to get at it:

http://partstore.agriculture.newholland.com/us/parts-search.html#epc::mr48827ar396327

I would recommend that you find an operator's manual as all of the routine maintenance procedures should be covered, like checking fluid levels and changing the fluids and filters.

You may do better on the crawler back hoe forum, Although there may have been a thread about your very question on this forum a week or so ago.

thanks for the feed back guys.
I agree best practice is to change out all the fluids and filters for any car, truck or tractor you purchase, even if the seller tells you it's well maintained and won't need it for several hours or miles.
I don't own the hoe. She's on indefinite loan to me. So what ever I do to her I need to make sure I get back what I put into her (time running the machine). A complete fluid change(trans, loader, hoe & axle)I think is 63 gallons of hydraulic fluid plus filters.
Thanks again for your the advise and comments.
Jason