Abstract: A motor operator for local or remote shifting of switchgear contacts toward either open or closed positions includes a reversible motor and rotatable drive screw mounted on common support structure for simultaneous pivoting movement as a drive nut translates fore-and-aft along the length of the screw. The drive nut includes an outer body and an inner sleeve which is set into free-wheeling motion whenever the sleeve comes into contact with either of two stops mounted on the screw defining respective end limits of travel for the nut. A drive element normally coupling the nut to an operating shaft of the switchgear is removable to allow the shaft to be manually rotated with a wrench when desired, and removal of the drive element reduces the likelihood that the worker is injured upon unintentional activation of the motor while the operating shaft is turned by hand.