The fuse is there to prevent the transistors blowing.

That is not quite correct. The fuse is there to PREVENT THE MACHINE FROM CATCHING FIRE and nothing else.

A fuse is a mechanical device and a transistor is a semiconductor - excessive load on the semiconductor will fry it in micro-seconds where the fuse will take MUCH longer to go open circuit. By the time the fuse blows, usually damage has already been done to the semiconductors.