A steerable primary axle for a fairway mower or other machine includes a pair of motors mounted in fixed positions on opposing ends of an axle. The mechanical drive system includes a pair of input shafts having input bevel gears, a pair of output shafts with output bevel gears and wheel mounts, and a pair of intermediate shafts between the input shafts and output shafts. Each intermediate shaft has an upper bevel gear meshed with the input bevel gear and a lower bevel gear meshed with the output bevel gear. The output shafts may be enclosed within pivotable housings. A pair of drag links are attached to the pivotable housings and to a steering linkage. The wheels on the wheel mounts may be steered without moving the motors, reducing or minimizing strain on hydraulic hoses or electric cables on the steered wheels.