Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.