Surface maintenance machine with improved dust collection system

A surface maintenance machine for use in sweeping and collecting dust and debris from inside and outside areas has a frame and wheels for supporting the frame for movement along the surface to be cleaned. There is a debris hopper on the frame and a rotary sweeping brush on the frame mounted to direct dust and debris from sweeping a surface into the hopper. A vacuum fan is located on the frame and there is an air flow path on the frame from the hopper to the vacuum fan. A dust collection container in the form of a flexible bag is positioned within a vacuum chamber in said air flow path and is in a generally upright disposition. The dust collection container has an air flow entrance adjacent the upper end thereof. During operation of the sweeping brush, dust and debris are directed into the hopper, with the vacuum fan moving dust from the hopper along the air flow path to the dust collection upper air inlet with the debris remaining in the hopper.