PURPOSE: To softly start without impact to a load by switching a rotation direction after the output shaft of a mechanical stepless transmission for constituting a motor-driven apparatus is rotated at a sufficiently low speed.

CONSTITUTION: The motor-driven apparatus comprises position detecting means LSz for outputting a detection signal when a speed change element (r) for changing a speed of rotation of the output shaft (o) of a mechanical stepless transmission T is shifted to a lower speed side from a preset position. Further, the apparatus comprises speed change control means SOLF, SOLR for controlling the speed changing operation of a speed change handle (h) to restrict the speed change operation of the handle (h) until the rotation of the shaft (o) is sufficiently reduced to a low speed from the stop of the speed change operation of the handle (h) at the time of switching the rotation direction of a motor M to input a detection signal from the means LSz and releasing the restriction of the handle (h) when the signal from the means LSz is output.