A drive pulley for a continuous conveyor includes an inner drum and a traction drum disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the inner drum. The traction drum has a thickness in a radial direction relative to the axle that is subject to wear during driving contact between the traction drum and a conveyor belt. At least one sensor is embedded in the traction drum. The at least one sensor has an outer wear surface that coincides with an outer surface of the traction drum. The at least one sensor is configured to wear such that the outer wear surface of the at least one sensor is adapted to wear at a same rate as the outer surface of the traction drum. The at least one sensor is configured to generate a wear signal that is indicative of wear of the traction drum.