Assuming you are running V-belts, I think twine would be better, but first wrap something on the pulleys to simulate where the inside of the belt would actually ride. Otherwise the twine falls too far into the groove and your belts will end up too short. I'd position the adjustments close to as short as they can go, leaving a little to allow you to get the belt on but not stretch out so far that they don't have enough tension. Longer belts stretch more than shorter belts.
If it's the serpentine style with multiple belts, the twine should work well right on top the pulleys. But have someone hold the tension device in the right position while you work the twine.
I would want to measure all the new belts with the same device I measure the twine with.
Yarn I suppose would be OK if it didn't stretch.
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