Kitchenaid trash compactor hard to open

Trash Compactor Repair
1

My Kitchenaid trash compactor KUCS03FTSS0 is extremely hard to open. I have to literally stand on the foot pedal to get it open. Everything else works normally. Any advice?

2

I see this is a pretty old thread, but just wondering if you ever found the solution. My compactor has the same problem.

Thanks,
Dave