A mechanical linkage system is provided to facilitate controlled tilting of a tray mounted on a carrier in a product sortation system. A pair of rotatable tilt plates are disposed between a pair of base plates and support the tray. A rotatable pivot bar is disposed between the base plates. A pair of linkage mechanisms are configured to tilt the tray in opposite directions. Each linkage mechanism includes a link pivotally connected at one end to the pivot bar, a pivot arm, and a cam follower. The pivot arm has a pivot joint connected to another end of the link, a cam joint where the cam follower is located, and a rotary joint where the pivot arm is rotatably connected to one of the base plates. The cam follower is situated in a track formed in one of the tilt plates. During operation, a pivoting of the pivot bar is transformed by the linkage mechanism into a rotation of the tilt plate, which is induced by the cam follower traveling through the track as the pivot arm rotates.