I am sure there are dozens of opinions about tracking devices used
in different player pianos.  If the player is tearing up rolls then
something is wrong.  My all-time favorite is the method that shifts
the tracker bar and, if I ever get the time, then that is the system
I will install on my Duo-Art.  This was a later design and a very
good one.

I use the following method to adjust the Aeolian tracker system as
well as others.

I would suggest disconnecting the supply to the tracker pneumatics
and rolling the piano roll forward by hand using the crankshaft of the
wind motor. Now the roll should be centered and the note holes should
align with the holes in the tracker bar.  Adjust the linkage to make
the alignment.

Hook the vacuum supply to tracker pneumatics and with the roll stopped
these holes should still be aligned.  If not then adjust the ears that
read the edges of the roll.  They should both be closed barely clearing
the edges of the paper.  I will typically use a new roll.

The above assumes that the tracker pneumatics are working properly.
There are two bleeds inside the tracker on a Duo-Art Aeolian system.
Both are the same size and in the vacuum supply side. If you pull the
two tubes going to the tracker pneumatics then the unit will center
when working properly.  When the piano shifts into rewind the vacuum
supply is or should be cut off.  With vacuum supplied during rewind
the player will destroy rolls.  It should center during rewind.

I am sure others have their methods but this has worked for me and
I hope I have not left out a step.  As far as the distance between the
take up spool flanges, I would hesitate to change them unless it was
a spinet player made by Aeolian with the plastic valves, but this was
discussed several years ago.

Don Teach
Shreveport, Louisiana