Abstract: A sump cleaner (10) is disclosed including a filter cartridge (26) adapted for easy removal and dumping. A lifting fitting (40) is provided on the filter cartridge (26) so that it can easily be lifted from the sump cleaner (10) to be emptied through its bottom door (56) and the filter shell (46) of the filter cartridge (26) is provided with a tapered geometry to prevent jamming or bridging of the filtered material during the dumping operation.