Lift systems and supporting collars for lift systems

A supporting collar for a lift system having a piston rod that is extendable out of a cylinder to raise a load, the supporting collar comprising:

• a first body portion including a first sidewall segment;
• a second body portion pivotably coupled to the first body portion by a pivot hinge, the second body portion comprising a second sidewall segment;
• wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are pivotable relative to each other into an open position in which the piston rod is receivable between the first sidewall segment and the second sidewall segment and a closed position in which the piston rod is retained between the first sidewall segment and the second sidewall segment;
• wherein the first sidewall segment and the second sidewall segment are configured to support a weight of the load;
• and
• a grip actuator configured for a user to pivot the first body portion and the second body portion into the open position.