Sorry, EddieBackBlade, but I operated a JCB tracked loader in the late 80's / early 90's and I don't have any fond memories, other than the day I wrote it off. They had none of the advantages hydrostatics are supposed to bring, and were harder to operate for a day than any powershift, and I even prefered the manual International Drotts over the JCB. Basically it was the layout of the controls that let them down, and the physical effort to hold the two track levers with one hand while you were operating the bucket controls.
As for Caterpillar, they'd bought one of the International/Hough Model 12 rear engines back in the 60's before JCB had thought of the idea. JCB may have got there with the hydrostatic drive, but not the rear engine. As for JCB being innovators, forget it. What products were they the first to produce? Mind you, I still think they make the best loader/backhoes.
To my mind, International/Drott/Hough were the real innovators.