Abstract: A high capacity filter and filtering system for a floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine comprises a frame, wheels supporting the frame on the surface to be cleaned, a rotatable sweeping brush carried by the frame, and a hopper carried by the frame near the sweeping brush. The hopper has a dirt- and debris-receiving opening at a lower rear portion thereof through which dirt and debris are received from the brush. A dividing wall extends between side walls of the hopper and divides it into a lower dirt- and debris-receiving chamber and an upper exhaust chamber with an inlet opening communicating between the chambers. A manifold is removably supported by the hopper in the exhaust chamber and a plurality of filters extend downwardly from the manifold into the exhaust chamber. Each of the filters has an outer surface and a central, inner chamber which communicates with the interior of the manifold.