A compound planetary mechanism includes a frame, a first carrier for undergoing rotation about a central axis of rotation of the first carrier, a first gear, a second gear for undergoing rotation about the central axis of rotation, and at least one planetary mechanism having a second carrier supported on the first carrier for undergoing rotation about a planetary axis and disposed substantially parallel to and a distance from the central axis of rotation. The second carrier includes a first shaft supported on the second carrier for undergoing rotation about a satellite axis forming an angle between zero and ninety degrees with the planetary axis, a third gear connected to a first end of the first shaft coaxially with the satellite axis, and a fourth gear connected to a second end of the first shaft coaxially with the satellite axis. The mechanism further includes a second shaft configured to rotate freely and endlessly about the planetary axis, a fifth gear connected to a first end of the second shaft coaxially with the planetary axis and cooperating with the first gear, a sixth gear connected to a second end of the second shaft coaxially with the planetary axis and cooperating with the third gear, a third shaft supported on the second carrier and configured to rotate freely and endlessly about the planetary axis, a seventh gear connected to a first end of the third shaft coaxially with the planetary axis and cooperating with the fourth gear, and an eighth gear cooperating with the second gear and connected coaxially with the planetary axis either to a second end of the third shaft or to the second carrier.