I had to make two adjustments
First : does the clear disk turn in a constant plane. Watch the disk turn 360 degrees with your eye on the ball guide bracket provided to keep the ball from rolling away from the crane . At any point does the disk get closer to the guide bracket? I had to adjust the metal arms that held up the disk to get the disk to rotate in a constant plane.
Second: adjust the holes on the plastic disk so that they line up with the magnet on the crane. If the crane picks up the ball cleanly it seems to drop the ball cleaner past the opto. Good luck. Sully