the present invention comprises a thrust actuated control for use in a motor operated valve having a motor operator including a motor drive , a stem nut coupled to the motor drive for rotation about an axis and a stem nut lock coupled to the motor drive for preventing axial movement of the stem nut . the valve includes a valve gate , a valve seat and a valve stem coupled to the valve gate , the valve stem threadingly engaging the stem nut for axial movement in a first direction upon rotation of the stem nut in a first direction to move the valve gate toward and into engagement with the valve seat and for axial movement in a second direction upon rotation of the stem nut in a second direction to move the valve gate out of engagement with and away from the valve seat . the improvement comprises a thrust sensor positioned between the stem nut and the stem nut lock for sensing axial displacement of the stem nut in the second axial direction resulting from axial compressive thrust on the stem caused by continued rotation of the stem nut in the first direction after the valve gate is in engagement with the valve seat . a switch is operatively coupled with the thrust sensor and with the motor drive for actuation to stop the operation of the motor drive to stop rotation of the stem nut when the axial displacement of the stem nut exceeds a predetermined limit proportional to a predetermined axial compressive thrust on the stem .