A knife gate valve includes a shutoff apparatus and a valve stem in communication with the shutoff apparatus. The valve stem includes a threaded portion and a journaled portion above the threaded portion. The journaled portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the threaded portion. A head portion is sized and shaped to engage with a powered rotational tool. A yoke has a journal cutout through which the journaled portion of the valve stem is positioned. A vertical position of the valve stem is maintained by the yoke. The valve stem is rotatable within the yoke to operate the shutoff apparatus.