"I also took a look at the motor, the plate says it is a GE induction motor. The voltage is indicated as 460/230.
"Does that mean I can safely and adequately operate from 230 by doing nothing?"
The name plate indicates that the motor is *capable* of being safely operated on 230 or 460 volts, at full rated HP, *if* properly connected.
The name plate should also have a connection diagram for all possible connections.
If the motor is single speed, dual voltage, then there are usually nine wires brough out to the motor's connection box.
If the motor is dual speed, dual voltage, then there are usually eighteen wires bought out.
If the motor is connected for 460 volts, but it is operated on 230 volts, the most likely outcome will be an overheated and burned out motor.
Induction motors are designed to operate on +/- 5 percent of the name plate rating, and they will tend to overheat when operated on low voltage, say more than 5 percent below name plate.
In contrast, induction motors do not tend to overheat when operated somewhat above name plate voltage.
Which is why some motors are rated as 208-240/440-480 volts or 200-240/440-480.
Meaning, in the former case, that 208, 220, 230, 240, 440, 460 and 480 are all OK, when the motor is properly wired for low voltage range or high voltage range, respectively.
200 volts is usually used only in Japan, which uses 100 volts for single-phase and 200 volts for three-phase.
The 200 volt name plate rating is probably provided for the case where a machine is to be shipped to Japan.
Of course, a "JIC" type motor starter would be substituted for the normal "NEMA" type motor starter, in this specific case.
Some manufacturers have special 200 volt only models because of the requriement for the special starter. And in this case the motors may be special 200 volt only models.
However, the Hardinge motor is specially balanced, and I'd guess that both GE and Hardinge would want to minimize the number of specials.