A little due diligence goes a long way.
Google MotoMan and you'll have some fun reading about how he recommends break in.
I generally do the first change at 1 hour, EVEN on engines with an oil filter. And most importantly with those without one.
I still like the next one at the recommended 5 (or whatever) interval. What's the worst that can happen? I spend 5 extra dollars on oil?
ALSO: I went to warm up the unit for that first o/c and as soon as I let off the choke I was thinking..."man it sure burns off water (vapor) on startup" when I realized it was one of those dang plastic oil caps on the bottom of the engine that had just come loose and was spitting oil. I shut down ASAP and only lost a couple of ounces but it made a large spray area of oil and forced me to do some extra cleaning of the belt cover area, etc. What should have been 10 minutes start to finish was over an hour.
Moral of the story? Be sure to occasionally tighten those stupid plastic plugs!!!
2011 Ariens Pro 28; Toro 210R, older Powerlite and a generic single stage w/ Tec. engine.
God Bless America!