An operator control unit configured to enable and disable a safety lock mode for a remote control machine, the operator control unit comprising: a processor; a network interface coupled to the processor, the network interface configured for communication with the remote control machine; an input interface having multiple inputs adapted to receive user input for control of the remote control machine, the multiple inputs including a first switch and a second switch; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: disable motion controls of the remote control machine while maintaining wireless communication with the remote control machine to allow core non-motion controls of the remote control machine when the operator control unit is in a safety lock mode; receive a request to disable the safety lock mode via at least one of the multiple inputs; in response to receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode, determine whether the operator control unit is in an unlockable state; and after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, enabling motion controls of the remote control machine in response to receiving a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, where the predefined sequence of activations during the specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode includes activating the first switch and the second switch in different directions. a processor; a network interface coupled to the processor, the network interface configured for communication with the remote control machine; an input interface having multiple inputs adapted to receive user input for control of the remote control machine, the multiple inputs including a first switch and a second switch; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: disable motion controls of the remote control machine while maintaining wireless communication with the remote control machine to allow core non-motion controls of the remote control machine when the operator control unit is in a safety lock mode; receive a request to disable the safety lock mode via at least one of the multiple inputs; in response to receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode, determine whether the operator control unit is in an unlockable state; and after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, enabling motion controls of the remote control machine in response to receiving a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, where the predefined sequence of activations during the specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode includes activating the first switch and the second switch in different directions. disable motion controls of the remote control machine while maintaining wireless communication with the remote control machine to allow core non-motion controls of the remote control machine when the operator control unit is in a safety lock mode; receive a request to disable the safety lock mode via at least one of the multiple inputs; in response to receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode, determine whether the operator control unit is in an unlockable state; and after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, enabling motion controls of the remote control machine in response to receiving a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode and confirming the operator control unit is in the unlockable state, where the predefined sequence of activations during the specified time period after receiving the request to disable the safety lock mode includes activating the first switch and the second switch in different directions.