Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere oil leak, blown head gasket, john deere 185

Question
I have a John Deere 185 lawn mower, that has an oil leak from the front of the engine.  the oil drips down onto the muffler and then smokes like crazy.  It looks like the oil is coming from around the silver cover, possibly valve cover?  Could it just be a bad gasket?  Any help would be greatly appreciated  Thankyou  

Answer
Could be a "bad" gasket? Hello must have been a "good" gasket since they haven't even built 185'S since 1990!

Have you ever adjusted the valves on this engine. Now is the time, pull the cover adjust the valves and replace the gasket.See if it fixes the problem.

By the way. valve adjustment every 100 hrs.

Could easily be a blown head gasket, we stock 4 head gaskets in our parts room, 0 valve cover gaskets.