A system of providing a mechanical soft start of a load driven by an electrical motor is provided. The system includes, in addition to the rotor driven by the electric motor during normal operation, a drive belt coupled to both the electric motor and the rotor for communicating mechanical power from the electric motor to the rotor. The system further includes a secondary motor, and a primary roller coupled to the secondary motor, wherein the roller is selectively engaged with the drive belt during a mechanical soft-start to communicate mechanical power from the secondary motor to the rotor without requiring mechanical power from primary motor.