Systems and methods for distance control between pipelayers

A method of automatically regulating distance between a pipelayer machine and at least one adjacent pipelayer machine, the method comprising:

• determining, based on a load sensing system, a load distribution between the pipelayer machine and the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine;
• determining a first distance that the pipelayer machine is to maintain between the pipelayer machine and the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine based at least in part on the load distribution;
• determining, via one or more sensors of the pipelayer machine, a second distance between the pipelayer machine and the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine;
• determining whether the second distance is within an acceptable range of the first distance;
• monitoring, via communication between a first controller of the pipelayer machine and a second controller of the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine, operation of the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine;
• and
• modifying, via the first controller of the pipelayer machine and based at least in part on monitoring the operation of the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine, output of a propulsion system of the pipelayer machine to adjust a position of the pipelayer machine relative to the at least one adjacent pipelayer machine.

A pipelayer machine comprising:

• a propulsion system;
• an electronic device having a user interface;
• one or more sensors;
• and
• a controller in communication with the propulsion system, the user interface, and the one or more sensors, the controller being configured to:
• determine, based on the one or more sensors, a load distribution between the pipelayer machine and a plurality of adjacent pipelayer machines;
• determine a first distance that the pipelayer machine is to maintain between the pipelayer machine and each of the plurality of adjacent pipelayer machines based at least in part on the load distribution,
• wherein the plurality of adjacent pipelayer machines includes a first pipelayer machine positioned in front of the pipelayer machine and a second pipelayer machine positioned behind the pipelayer machine;
• determine, via the one or more sensors, a second distance between the pipelayer machine and the first pipelayer machine;
• determine whether the second distance is within an acceptable range of the first distance;
• determine, via the one or more sensors, a third distance between the pipelayer machine and the second pipelayer machine;
• determine whether the third distance is within the acceptable range of the first distance;
• and
• cause, via the controller, the pipelayer machine to navigate in order to adjust a position of the pipelayer machine relative to each of the first pipelayer machine and the second pipelayer machine based at least in part on determining that the second distance or the third distance is outside of the acceptable range of the first distance.