The DC motor draws maximum current when stalled, causing the breaker to pop.
The lead screw drives a plastic nut, that appears to be self lubricating, so grease probably won't help.
The cushions attach to the frame and on mine have PLENTY of adjustment range, where the vertical cushion attaches to the vertical board (board not shown in my image).
It might be possible to loosen the screws to permit shifting the cushions to improve the action. When I got my boat that system didn't work great, like your description of a two person operation, now mine works fine by just pressing the buttons with no assistance required.
