You didn't talk to the right person at the machine mfg. There is a torque spec for any bolt on that machine. They just didn't bother to go find it for you. You need to ask again.

The directions to use a 20 ft pipe and forklift came from an idiot. Don't do it. It's not safe and is as likely to damage the machine as it is to do anything else.

There are numerous ways to achieve high torque on bolts or studs in an accurate manner. If you don't have the tooling there are companies with the proper tooling to do it. In some cases, structural steel assemblies in particular, the torque value exceeds the yield stress of the bolt/stud material and the bolt needs to be replaced every time the joint is disassembled. In the case of most mechanical joints, what is required is a certain "preload" as Eagleye described. Too much preload and you may break or weaken the stud, to little and the machine may beat itself to pieces.

The most accurate method to determine the preload achieved is to measure bolt/stud elongation that results from applied torque. Not all applications require that level of accuracy and a specified torque value and method of application (lubed or not) is sufficient.

PS I am a retired mechanical engineer.

LOL,,now that sounds about right!

Knock wrench should work used them in the oil patch and on some applications on heavy equiptment.

https://www.aftfasteners.com/bolt-torque-charts/

Every nut and bolt has a torque spec, ASME would be a good reference as well.

These are all the answers I expected to hear. Most are the same things I said when I was told how we were instructed to tighten it.

I've never seen a fork lift used to tighten a bolt. I will probably watch from the other side of the building or hope it's done on a day when im not there

Me too.

if you give me the diameter of the stud, the pitch of the thread and material, I can give you the standard torque spec for it.
But looking at that machine, it is more important to keep the corners an equal distance from the base than the torque on the nut. I would just slap it up with a slap wrench. Because if you really wanted to do a proper job, you would need a torque converter to accomplish the task with any meaningful accuracy.
Stay away from the pipe and fork lift idea, unless replacement messicans are readily available

Doesn't sound like a torque wrench will be utilized on this job!

I'd do the ratta-tat-tat with a one inch air gun and loctite and call it good.

Do they make torgue wrenches that read that high (towmotor and a pipe high)?