A belt conveying tension measuring system for measuring applied take-up tension on a belt of a bucket elevator or a belt of a conveyor. The tension measuring system includes a center assembly that is used in combination with a pushing assembly and a horizontal stabilizer assembly such that when a deflection operating assembly is used actuation of the deflection operating assembly causes the pushing assembly to provide deflection to the belt of the conveyor. The pressure to deflect the belt a set amount is measured with and set by a load cell and scale assembly.