A furnace discharge system for removing material from a hearth (18) of a rotary hearth furnace (10) and method of operation. The system includes at least two material discharge augers (28, 30) positioned above the hearth (18) of the rotary hearth furnace (10). Each discharge auger (28, 30) is operatively mounted to allow for height adjustment of the discharge auger (28, 30) in alternating sequence from a material removal position to an elevated material by-pass position.