A product picking apparatus picks up product items according to a first spacing (e.g., product items arriving on a conveyor) and releases the product items according to a second spacing (e.g., product items placed into a carton). Known product picking apparatuses have used belts or endless tracks to frictionally engage and propel product pickers in a cyclical movement. The contacting surfaces responsible for generation of the friction that drives the product pickers are typically wear parts. Therefore, their condition is constantly changing. Accordingly, the movement of the product pickers is subject to slight variation over time. Such variations can result in “missed pickups” by one or more product pickers. This can result in production line shutdowns and/or cartons or cases that are “light” on product.