Dirty oil.
 

Back when I mowed with my 108 I could go all summer and the oil was just as clean at the end of summer as it was when I put it in. I noticed when I checked to oil in the 1211 the other day that the oil is pretty black, this oil only has about 3hrs on it. Just for piece of mind I'm going to change it before I mow again but was curious why it would be getting black so fast? The only thing I can figure is the engine wasn't taken care of very well and has some sludge in it. It doesn't burn a drop of oil.

My 982 does that, figure its maybe blow by?

My 2284 will go right about up to 20-25 hours or so, sometimes more, before it started to get dirty looking. Then again, the Command in that tractor has an oil filter on it so I'm sure that has an effect.

If you run detergent oil in a motor that's never had that type oil before , it will take a few oil changes before you get the crankcase cleaned up.

Couldnt tell you, the oil leaks out of my 125 so fast it never changes color! Bad crank seals front and rear. Sort of like a perpetual oil change! It's on my ever-lengthening list. I have a fresh K301 to swap in, just no time to do it.:BlahBlah:

Either a dirty crankcase, or blow by on the rings. Either will cause it.