Abstract: A take-up system which is capable of not only its intended design purpose of applying tension to a belt conveyor system, but which also includes an internal mechanism for measuring the force which is applied, regardless of whether that force is in tension or compression. This take-up mechanism utilizes a force-measuring mechanism, such as a coil spring of a known spring constant, to accurately measure the force, in conjunction with an indicator scale that provides a real time read out of that force to the user. In one embodiment, the take-up system includes components that provide force readings in a single direction, but those components are selectively reversible so that the take-up system provides force readings when the take-up system is coupled to a pulley in a “push” configuration or in a “pull” configuration.