Always is a PITA to find a place to put a hi-lift
Had mine well over 20 years and I keep it in the garage unless I am specifically training someone to use it.
I disagree with the dangerous bit though - it's all down to knowing how to use it and how to maintain it. They do make a good strong (but very slow winch) and they are very good for breaking beads on tyres. But a Tirfor fits in the vehicle better and a bottle jack under the chassis breaks beads just a s well. As for lifting and slewing; well we've all been there or will be there one day; on your own, no mobile signal, high centered.... But a bottle jack will sort that to.
Thing is David has fitted his hi-lift where he wants to fit it at the moment. He is planning to change bumpers et al to suit. If he finds it's not right for what he does with his vehicle, then that's a lesson learned. If it works then fine. I for one don't like front mounted hi-lifts (it's illegal here in the UK albeit a nice 'grey' law) but that's to with being hit by a car when I was a kid and surviving as well as having kids of my own. Hell I even smoothed off my ARB!
David, might I suggest if you stick with the mount, that you wrap the jack. If you find an old wet suit, cut off a leg and use it as a sock, cinch it into place with a couple of re-useable zip ties. Don't use WD40 to lubricate the works as it attracts water after a while, use motorcycle chain oil.
Oh and you are right about the tow hitch hitting first, even if the hitch wasn't there you would hit the bottom edge of the bumper or the corners - unless of course you were dropping down steps....