An example system includes a pressure plate actuating portion. The pressure plate actuating portion includes a cam gear coupled to a cam arm and a pressure plate arranged to be driven by the cam arm as the cam arm rotates with the cam gear through a pick-up cycle, the pressure plate being biased in a first direction toward the cam arm with a pressure plate spring. The example system also includes a pressure plate release control portion, the pressure plate release control portion being arranged to transfer potential energy from the pressure plate spring in a gradual manner.