A pipe clamp mechanism and method for use with a pipe arm retracts beneath two laterally positioned pipe guide surfaces in a retracted position to allow a pipe to roll laterally into a pipe receptacle on the pipe arm along either of the two pipe guide surfaces. After at least one pipe is positioned within the pipe receptacle, then the pipe clamp utilizes one or more pipe clamps which extend outwardly of the pipe guide surfaces to clamp the pipe into the pipe receptacle.