Manufacturer Karosa Floor type High-floor | Doors 3, air-operated | |
 | ||
Chassis semi-self-supporting with frame Engine LIAZ ML635
LIAZ ML636E V6 Diesel engine
LIAZ ML636N V6 Diesel engine
LIAZ ML637S V6 Diesel engine
Renault MIHR 62045 V6 Diesel engine Power output 148 kW (198 hp) (LIAZ ML 635)
155 kW (208 hp) (LIAZ ML 636 N)
175 kW (235 hp) (LIAZ ML 636 E)
151 kW (202 hp) (LIAZ ML 637 S)
151 kW (202 hp) (Renault MIHR 62045) | ||
Karosa B 731 is an urban bus produced by bus manufacturer Karosa from the Czech Republic, in the years of 1982 to 1996. It was succeeded by Karosa B 931 in 1996.
Contents
Construction features
Karosa B 731 is model of Karosa 700 series. B 731 is derived from Karosa C 734 intercity bus, and also unified with city bus models such as B 741 and B 732. Body is semi-self-supporting with frame and engine with automatic gearbox in the rear part. Only rear axle is propulsed. Front axle is independent, rear axle is solid. All axles are mounted on air suspension. On the right side are three doors (first are narrower than middle doors). Inside are used leatherette seats, plastic Vogelsitze or Fainsa seats. Drivers cab is separated from the rest of the vehicle with glazed partition (first series produced until 1984 didn't have partition). In the middle, or in the rear part is room for a pram or wheelchair.
Type B 731 (as well as whole 700 series) underwent during its long production many changes and modifications. Among the most significant belonged replacing of the noisy rear axles Rába with another that has not produced so much noise, change of the engine mounting and change the location of alternator, use of several types of engines LIAZ, initially aspirated, turbocharged later. In newer buses have also been used automatic gearbox Voith (apparently from 1991) instead of the product of Praga. Began to be mounted exhaust gas catalysators EKOS and between 1993 and 1994, the buses were equipped with intercooler and intake air (due to meet emission standards Euro1), which also led to modifications of the body – behind the third door was placed the intake grille. In the last buses from the year 1995 appeared motor Renault. These buses were numbered B 731.1659 and were produced in only 50 pieces. Due to the assortment offered gearbox with retarder to the engines LIAZ cars were B 731 since 1994 produced with extended rear (the very first bus with a very similar rear was already made in 1992, it was a prototype B17). These were types B 731.1667 and B 731.1669 with LIAZ engines and Voith gearbox with integrated retarder. The rear panel is identical to then produced 900 series.
Production and operation
In 1981 started serial production, which continued until 1996.
Currently, number of Karosa B731 buses is decreasing, due to supply of new low-floor buses, for example by SOR NB 12 made in Czech Republic. Last Karosa B731 in Prague was retired on 12 September 2014.
Historical vehicles
Private collections: