Abstract: A system and method for operating a pipe loader for various applications in the drilling industry are provided. The pipe loader operates with a programmable and self-calibrating control system that allows the pipe loader to be programmed and/or to mimic previous operator-performed routes to automatically load one or more pipes from at least a first location and unload the one or more pipes at at least a second location. The pipe loader has a robotic arm with a vacuum head for engaging one or more pipes with suction. The movement of the robotic arm, along with the vacuum head, may be selectively controlled an operator or by the control system.