System for drive control of toner agitator in image-forming apparatus

In an image-forming apparatus (1), such as an electro-graphic printer, in which an electro-static latent image formed on an photoconductive drum (5) is reproduced by a toner (15), comprising a pulse motor (M) for driving an agitator (13) built-in to a developer unit (8), the agitator (13) is controlled during an initialization process of the apparatus (1) by setting the rotational speed of the motor at a lower level upon a start-up thereof, and converting the same to a higher level corresponding to the normal operational speed after a predetermined period has passed from the start-up, whereby a larger torque is generated from the motor at the start-up stage of the initialization so that the agitator (13) can be smoothly rotated even if the toner (15) has solidified in the developer unit (8).