Dek,
I faced the exact same problem with my Cheetah tribute. My unconventional solution was to install two 12v linear actuators to lift the nose about six inches. That allows me to grab it closer to the center when lifting and allows the pneumatic lift springs that hold it in the open position to begin to help. I also did this because I was having trouble finding a suitable system to secure the nose in the down position. By putting push-button latches on the tops of the actuators, I solved both problems. So far so good. Here's a video of it closing after I had manually lowered to nose to rest on the actuators.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01LHMXKJ5Ew