An automated positive pressure solid phase extraction apparatus and method comprising two tiered lifts devices each individually controllable to individually vertically translate within an elevator framework between a base on which the elevator framework is mounted and a manifold plate supported by the framework in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with and vertically above the two tiered lifts devices and a rectilinearly translating shuttle assembly comprising a shuttle supporting labware for rectilinear travel into and out of the elevator framework to handoff the labware to one of the two tiered elevator lifts or both.