Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring components which includes a wheel which can rotate between an arrival station and a discharge station, each station being located adjacent a periphery of the wheel. A plurality of independent peripheral teeth are pivotally mounted to the wheel via mounting spindles. The teeth are designed to carry along at least one component during a rotation of the wheel in a transfer direction. Each of the teeth can pivot in a direction opposite to the transfer direction, such that each tooth can release a component when there is resistance to rotation of the wheel.