Having a Kirby as the main vacuum in my home most of my life, I have seen more than several fans break due to picking up anything from a screw to a quarter. This seemed to always happen when using the hose and attachments, not when cleaning rugs. I currently have a G4 in otherwise mint condition sitting in my basement for years due to a broken fan from sucking up a quarter coin. It was for this reason I decided not to get the machine fixed for everyday use, and to switch to a cannister vacuum, because I got tired of the design that everything you pick up had to go through the fan, thus if you were cleaning under a sofa or a bed with the hose on, or if you wanted to clean your car, you never know what might get sucked up in error, and with a house full of people that can happen. I always loved the Kirby, but always hated the design that you had to be careful that you did not accidentally suck up objects that might damage the fan
