If you have a similar drop-down hatch that looks like it's locked by two vending machine locks, I had a problem at first too. The hatch would jamb in the opening and required force to open it, even when the two locks were in the unlock position. I made a pull tab loop out of 1" nylon webbing screwed to the hatch. I can now pull it open with no problem. Without bodywork or bending and sanding, I couldn't figure out how to make it easier to open and didn't want to have to paint.