A power-driven conveyor which includes a bed with opposite front and back ends, front and back pulleys extending transversely across the bed ends, and an endless belt trained over the pulleys. A plurality of cleats are attached to the belt in spaced relation and extend transversely thereacross. A drive mechanism for the conveyor includes an actuator with an extensible and retractable rod and a pawl mechanism connected to the rod. The pawl mechanism has a push configuration in engagement with one of the cleats for advancing the conveyor belt and a retract configuration disengaged from the cleats. The conveyor is cycled and monitored by a control system.