A coupling mechanism for removably coupling a storage cart to a surface maintenance machine , the storage cart comprising a mobile body supported by a plurality of wheels, the coupling mechanism comprising: a cart-side connector connectable to the storage cart ; a machine-side connector connectable to the surface maintenance machine ; a connecting rod facilitating engagement between the cart-side connector and the machine-side connector ; a bracket assembly positioned between the cart-side connector and the machine-side connector , the bracket assembly being connectable with the cart-side connector and/or the machine-side connector , the bracket assembly being configured to receive the connecting rod to engage therewith, wherein the bracket assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket , the first bracket and the second bracket each having an elongate slot , the elongate slot being configured to receive the connecting rod thereby engaging the cart-side connector with the machine-side connector to engage the storage cart to the surface maintenance machine ; and a handle attachable to the second bracket , the handle being configured to be raised or lowered to engage or disengage the connecting rod from the elongate slot , to connect or disconnect, respectively, the storage cart from the surface maintenance machine , the engagement between the connecting rod and the bracket assembly facilitating: a first relative movement between the connecting rod and at least a portion of the bracket assembly in a direction perpendicular to an operating surface on which the surface maintenance machine is traveling, and a pivoting of the bracket assembly about a pivot axis passing through the connecting rod , the first relative movement and the pivoting maintaining each wheel of the plurality of wheels of the storage cart on the operating surface during travel of the surface maintenance machine thereon. a cart-side connector connectable to the storage cart ; a machine-side connector connectable to the surface maintenance machine ; a connecting rod facilitating engagement between the cart-side connector and the machine-side connector ; a bracket assembly positioned between the cart-side connector and the machine-side connector , the bracket assembly being connectable with the cart-side connector and/or the machine-side connector , the bracket assembly being configured to receive the connecting rod to engage therewith, wherein the bracket assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket , the first bracket and the second bracket each having an elongate slot , the elongate slot being configured to receive the connecting rod thereby engaging the cart-side connector with the machine-side connector to engage the storage cart to the surface maintenance machine ; and a handle attachable to the second bracket , the handle being configured to be raised or lowered to engage or disengage the connecting rod from the elongate slot , to connect or disconnect, respectively, the storage cart from the surface maintenance machine , the engagement between the connecting rod and the bracket assembly facilitating: a first relative movement between the connecting rod and at least a portion of the bracket assembly in a direction perpendicular to an operating surface on which the surface maintenance machine is traveling, and a pivoting of the bracket assembly about a pivot axis passing through the connecting rod , a first relative movement between the connecting rod and at least a portion of the bracket assembly in a direction perpendicular to an operating surface on which the surface maintenance machine is traveling, and a pivoting of the bracket assembly about a pivot axis passing through the connecting rod , the first relative movement and the pivoting maintaining each wheel of the plurality of wheels of the storage cart on the operating surface during travel of the surface maintenance machine thereon. <EOS>