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Using the Trackerbar Pump
The 'Kissing' Technique

As a rule of thumb, the trackerbar should be pumped out every eight playing hours. Each roll is about 3+ minutes long. So 'Pump the Bar' after about every 100 or so plays. Keeping the 'Bar' clean is very important. It prevents weak and/or silent notes that result from paper dust and chad (those nasty little pieces of paper that hang on to a punch card) that get sucked into the holes in the trackerbar. It also helps insure Good Roll Tracking (See Pictures).

To Purchase a Trackerbar Pump for $68.00 - Click Here

To Purchase a Replacement Tip for $11.95 - Click Here

To Purchase a Replacement Filter for $8.85 - Click Here
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(Minimum shipping cost is $10.40.)

Having pumped out thousands of trackerbars, I have developed an extremely effective technique that develops the most suction you and the pump can create. The technique is called the 'Kissing Technique' because of the sound that occurs once you've mastered the technique.

Start by pushing the piston handle all the way 'in'. Press the rubber tip tightly against the trackerbar. With your other hand, pull the piston handle 'out' very smartly, the faster the better. As you reach the top of the 'out' stroke, allow the force of the stroke to pull the rubber tip off of the trackerbar. Move the 'pump' away from the piano, then push the piston handle back 'in'.

You'll know you've got this technique right when you hear a 'kissing' sound as the rubber tip comes away from the trackerbar. (The sound you hear is the vacuum, created by the pump, escaping to the atmosphere.)

Repeat this process for every hole on the trackerbar. If present, pay particular attention to the outermost holes on the 'bar'. These holes are typically used for 'roll tracking', and since they are next to the edge of the paper, they suck in the most debris. (That's because the edge of the paper is where most of the wear occurs.)

After completing one pass over all the holes, clean the dust screen and repeat the entire process again. Continue repeating the process until the filter is free of any debris. On average, it will take three complete passes before the majority of paper dust is removed from the player system.

Why is a trackerbar pump better than a vacuum cleaner at cleaning out the paper dust and debris that gets sucked into the player system? Most simply put, a vacuum cleaner doesn't develop enough suction to do the job. The trackerbar pump can develop up to 200 inches of water vacuum and the rubber tip, which seals against the trackerbar, focuses that vacuum to 2-3 holes on the trackerbar at a time. A very strong vacuum cleaner develops 60-80 inches of water vacuum and it doesn't seal against the trackerbar. Also, even with a crevice tool, the vacuum is trying to clean 6-8 holes at a time. Doing a little quick math and assuming that you "were" able to create a seal with the vacuum cleaner and the trackerbar, the trackerbar pump is a minimum of five times more effective at cleaning out the paper dust and debris that gets sucked into the system. In reality, it's about ten times more effective. Personally speaking, I have proven this to customers many, many times. In one instance, a customer with an expensive central vacuum system, that produced 120 inches of water vacuum, challenged me to a test. She used her vacuum and the crevice tool to clean out the trackerbar and then smiled at me as I took out my little trackerbar pump. Before I started, I showed her that the filter was clean, and then I made one complete pass across the bar, which took just over a minute. Then I showed her what was in the filter. She bought the pump!


Replacement Rubber Tip - $9.75 ea.
TIP: When replacing the tip, try applying a little Vaseline to the edge that goes into the hole. Insert as much of the edge as you can into the hole. Then push on the tip and twist the top into the hole. It's almost like what you had to do when putting a tire on a wheel -back in the old days...


Replacement Filter - $8.15 ea.


Trackerbar Pump - $68.00 ea.

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John Tuttle "Player Piano Repair Service"
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This page was last revised on July 20, 2023 by John A. Tuttle (John A Tuttle).


Although I prefer that you send E-Mail, if you have a non-order
related question,you can reach me at (732)-840-8787.
If I'm in the Shop or at Home, I will answer the phone.
Otherwise, please leave a message.

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Disclaimer: Player-Care assumes no liability with regards to the suitability of any product sold at this web site. In other words, how you use the product is up to you. Player-Care is only liable for the quality of the material, and any product that is found to be defective will gladly be replaced.


Since "Player-Care" is an internet business, I prefer that we correspond via E-Mail (click here to fill out the 'Request Form'). However, if I'm not in the middle of some other activity, you can reach me at 732-840-8787. But please understand that during the hours from 8AM-5PM EST (Mon-Sat), I'm generally quite busy. So, I probably won't answer the phone. If you get the answering machine, please leave a detailed message stating the reason for your call. Also, repeat your name and phone number clearly and distinctly. By necessity, I prioritize everything in my life. And, if you call and just leave your name and number, and ask me to call you back, it might be a day or two before I return your call. Why? Because I don't know why you want me to call and I might not be prepared to assist you in an effective and efficient manner. If you leave me an E-Mail address (which I prefer), spell it out phonetically. The more you do to help me, the more I can help you in return. Don't rush. You have four minutes to record your message.

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