Abstract: A transfer conveyor for transferring conveyed items between two main conveyors, each having a flexible conveying surface reeved about an end sprocket that is large with respect to the conveyed items. The transfer conveyor includes a deck having two ends, each having a nose bar. At least one tensioning idler wheel is slidably mounted to the transfer conveyor frame, and a drive wheel is rotatably mounted to the frame. A transfer conveyor belt is routed about the drive wheel, over the tensioning idler wheel, over the deck, and back to the drive wheel. A dead plate is positioned between one of the nose bars and one of the main conveyors, at a level even with the top of the belt. The deck is expandable, formed of two interlaced finger plates, each having a respective nose bar at one end and finger(s) extending away from the nose bar.