Mechanized excavation in soft rock has been extensively studied in the field of mining when machines such as roadheaders are used. During this time, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have been the ideal machines for working in hard rock and their application has a good empirical / theoretical basis, especially regarding the excavation efficiency. Both techniques enjoy having such broad empirical support that it lets us establish a good number of benchmarks both to guide the design of the cutting heads and to assess the efficiency of equipment in a given project. In this communication data which has been gathered from more than 33km of tunnels in soil and soil mixed with soft rock that have been drilled through mechanized excavation with EPB is presented. The contrast between the results of these projects, in light of the available recommendations in the literature and other actual cases, let us reflect on the applicability of such recommendations in the case of machines conceived to work in soil or mixed soil and soft rock conditions.