Coal is collected in large piles in the outside yard. A positionable conveyor belt (stacker) moves the incoming coal to an open area. As the area fills up, the stacker moves to a new area. The coal is fast-moving and dusty as it is dumped on the piles, making reliable measurement difficult. Operators need to know when the pile reaches a pre-determined distance from the stacker so it can be moved. With radar level measurement, high accuracy monitoring can be achieved to ensure continuous operation, process efficiency, and inventory control.