A device (6) for holding and centering yam tubes (3) for processing while in a vertical orientation on transport disks (2), e.g., for removing a yam remnant (4) at a tube cleaning station. During such processing, the tubes are fixed in place by means of a height-displaceable centering arbor (12) coupled with a circuit arrangement which causes the operating height (h) of the centering arbor (12) to be automatically matched to the length of the respectively provided tube (3). An arresting arrangement (20) assure that the centering arbor (12) is securely fixed in place at each of its operating heights (h).